The public is invited to join UNC Asheville and its guest presenters at the upcoming "Chocolate Friday," an informal gathering for research and idea-sharing, at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is hosted by UNC Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC).

Four speakers will explore the current communitywide effort to make Asheville a national center for climate research and climate science delivery.

Ron Gordon, North Carolina Arboretum economic development director and program manager for the Centers for Environmental and Climate Interaction, will discuss the emerging partnership between government, academia and commerce in translating the results of scientific observation and assessment into useful public tools for mitigating or adapting to predicted climate change.

Tim Owen, educative officer at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), will outline NCDC’s current emphasis on climate monitoring, product delivery through web services and its role in climate assessments at the national and international levels.

Sandra Byrd, UNC Asheville assistant provost for Graduate and Continuing Education and associate professor of education, will present an update on the planning grant for a new master's degree program in climate change and society at UNC Asheville.

Pamela McCown, Education & Research Services marketing director, will talk about the relationship between the global attention focused on climate change and Asheville’s continued efforts to attract weather, climate, and environmental technology companies to the area.
Chocolate Fridays will be held throughout the spring. The events are free and chocolate will be served.

The next Chocolate Friday, to be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Asheville Chamber, will focus on urban sustainability and the built environment. Speakers will include Robin Cape, Sustainability in Asheville Policy Making; Bill Fleming, The Contribution of Eco-Neighborhoods to Urban Sustainability; Joe Minicozzi, Adding Up the Built Environment; and Ellie Johnston, The Youth Climate Movement: Mobilizing for the 21st Century and Beyond.

NEMAC conducts basic and applied environmental modeling research and technology development. Through collaborations with academic, governmental, commercial, and non-profit organizations, the Center uses its visualization and prediction capabilities to advance public education, health, welfare and the economy.

For more information about Chocolate Fridays, contact Susan Weatherford at 828/250-3890 or sweather@unca.edu, or visit the NEMAC Web site at www.unca.edu/nemac.