Get involved: Fill out ENVX’s survey for their Fall Symposium

The planning committee of the Environmental Studies Program’s symposium (ENVX) has put together a quick survey so that they can collect some feedback on their Symposium topic, which explores the possibilities of a “post-truth” environment. No background knowledge of the topic is required and there will be three gift-card raffle prizes randomly awarded to survey-takers.

For the past 23 years, the Environmental Studies Program has held a series of Fall and Spring events geared towards engaging the Lewis and Clark community, as well as the general public, in discussions about critical environmental issues across intellectual, geographic, and communicative boundaries. A key component of making this project successful is our annual Fall Symposium, which will be entering its 24th year this Fall.

This year’s ENVX Symposium will be coming right on the heels of one of the most turbulent periods in recent memory, and it has become increasingly apparent that a significant challenge has emerged in the field of environmental studies (and beyond). That challenge is characterized by a widespread mistrust in institutions; a breakdown of the relationships between the general public, scientists, and other authority figures; and the dissemination of disinformation that spreads through emotional appeals rather than fact. One need only look in the news or on social media to see this process occurring in real-time. In recognition of the new obstacles (and potential new opportunities) that this shifting paradigm holds for the future of the environment, our Fall 2021 Symposium topic will be “A Post-Truth Environment?”

Public tolerance of diverse opinions and experiences is often one of the first casualties of a post-truth situation, and Art for Social Change is interested in creating enhanced visibility for those very same diverse opinions/experiences. Furthermore, there has been much discussion about the role that art plays in combating (and, occasionally, perpetuating misinformation and institutional mistrust).

Post-truth is not an easy concept to wrap one’s head around - that’s why it’s important to collect the insights of our fellow Lewis and Clark students to help  develop a symposium that will answer questions and spark interest as we begin to unravel what it means to live in a post-truth environment.

Please consider taking this short survey to help ENVX and have the chance to WIN a raffle prize of $10 gift cards to Powell’s Books which will go out to three random survey-takers. The ENVX committee will also be calling for interested students to join the planning committee in putting this exciting series of events together.