Interview on Global Warming
with Science Faculty Dean, Prof. Hasan Erten
This week Bilkent News interviewed the Dean of the Science Faculty, Prof. Hasan Erten on
global warming and its effects. Prof. Erten earned his M.Sc.in Chemistry from the Middle
East Technical University in 1967 and his Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) in 1971.
Bilkent News: Prof. Erten, what is global warming and what are the
possible causes of it?
Prof. Erten: First of all, we should start by understanding the
"Greenhouse Effect," which has been present on Earth since before the first
appearance of humankind within the timescale of evolution. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and other
greenhouse gases such as water vapor (H2O), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) warm
the surface of the Earth naturally by trapping the reflected solar heat in the atmosphere.
Without this effect, our planet would be too cold to be habitable and for living things to
survive. However, global warming is different. After the Industrial Revolution of the last
two centuries, CO2 production rapidly increased in a relatively short period of time. Due
to the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil in ever increasing amounts, we
dramatically increased the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and consequently the average
temperatures are rising. Deforestation for residential and commercial purposes also
contributes to global warming by decreasing the oxygen (O2) concentration thereby
increasing the levels of CO2 indirectly.
B.N.: You mentioned "greenhouse gases." Why are they so
important? And which of them are more influential on the atmospheric and oceanic
temperature rise?
Prof. Erten: Geenhouse gases, such as water vapor, methane, CO2 and ozone
(O3), are naturally present in atmosphere. Greenhouse gases absorb heat radiation coming
from the surface of Earth, keeping the world warmer than it otherwise would be. Industrial
activities result in the release of CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) into the atmosphere in increasing amounts. Among all of those gases, CO2 is
documented to account for over 70% of global warming because of its much larger-scale
production. (continues)...Updated Student Council Web
Site...
Dear friends,
Over the past few years, the student council has been working to improve its web site, as
it was not sufficient enough to satisfy the needs of our students. This year's student
council has finally established a project to make the web site more relevant and
informative by updating it with important information about the activities of the council.
The improved and updated student council web site will be made available next week at http://www.konsey.bilkent.edu.tr/
The website is prepared by: Engin Tekin (CS/IV), Doğan Kaya Berktaş (CS/IV), Barbaros
Başaran (CTIS/III), and Yekmer Şimşek (METU).
The Student Council
Bilkent News Interactive is best viewed by 800x600 resolution.
You can send comments, questions, etc. about Bilkent News Interactive by clicking this
link.
|
Virtual Museum of Çanakkale
Shipwrecks
 Güzden
Varınlıoğlu, a PhD student of Prof. Bülent Özgüç of the Interior Architecture and
Environmental Design Department, was chosen as a recipient of an award by TÜRSAB
(Association of Turkish Travel Agencies) in the Cultural Tourism Project Contest in
Turkey. The contest, arranged for the first time, is concerned with preserving and
bringing awareness to sites of cultural heritage. The project aims to preserve maritime
culture and naval history along the Dardanelle coastline. The project database and web
page will document and update all academic research done on the ancient shipwrecks of the
region and will be supplemented by a virtual museum that is going to provide a flow of
information which is not spatially bound.
Güzden Varınlıoğlu won the third place award for her project "Virtual Museum of
the Dardanelle Shipwrecks" from more than a hundred entries. The award ceremony will
be held in early March at the Bilkent Hotel.
BSO Album Released
The Bilkent Symphony Orchestra has released their second international album, recorded in
December 2005 at the Bilkent Concert Hall. The CD features world famous pianist İdil
Biret and French conductor Alain Paris with pieces from Jules Massenet and Cesar Franck.
The French symphonic pieces and concertos on this album are played breathtakingly with the
warm and soothing style of İdil Biret, the commanding conduction of Alain Paris and the
precision of the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra. Prominent music journalist Ivan March
commented on the album in the December 2006 issue of Gramophone magazine saying he enjoyed
the performance and looked forward to more recordings from this group of artists. Sera De Vor (AMER/II)
An Exploration of the
“Essential, Pure and Direct”
The first painting exhibition of 2007 at the Bilkent University Library Art Gallery opened
with a reception on February 8. The opening reception was a chance for the Bilkent
University community to experience the abstract paintings and meet the participating
painters. Abstract paintings of 24 well-known Turkish artists provide the exhibition with
a rare theme, and the paintings are presented with the title "Essential, Pure,
Direct" (Öz, Yalın, Dolaysız). Art consultant of the Art Gallery, Attila Güllü,
reports that "abstraction" is a way to represent the world in its essential,
purest, and most direct way. This is why they have chosen this title for the collection. (continues)
Also in this issue:
ime to Register for
Spring 2007 Sports Courses
McKinsey & Co. and Bilkent
Case Competition
Personal Development Days Schedule
Take Action
Valentine’s Day Best Romantic Letters
PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION
Tune into Radio Bilkent and
Surprise Your Lover
February at the Bilkent Concert Hall
Le Piment Rouge Restaurant Menu
This Week...This Week...
PUZZLE...PUZZLE...
|
