Sir Robert Watson, chair of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) from 1997 to 2002, will speak at the Woodrow Wilson School on Monday, April 2, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. in Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall. Watson's talk, titled, "Environment and Development Challenges: The Imperative to Act," is part of the School's "Energy and Environment" thematic lecture series. Watson is visiting the Wilson School as part of its "Leadership and Governance Program," which brings prominent policy makers to Princeton for a two to three day visit so that students can meet and learn from exemplary public leaders.

Watson, who has worked on atmospheric science issues including ozone depletion, global warming and paleoclimatology since the 1980s, is currently chief scientific adviser at the United Kingdom’s department of environment, food and rural affairs.  He is also professor of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia (UEA), located in Norwich, United Kingdom, and serves as director of strategic development at the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research, which is headquartered at UEA. The Center brings together scientists, economists, engineers and social scientists who are working to develop sustainable responses to climate change.

Watson is the former chief scientist and director for environmentally and socially sustainable development (ESSD) at the World Bank. Prior to joining the World Bank, Watson was associate director for environment in the office of science and technology policy under President Clinton.  Prior to joining the Clinton White House, Watson served director of the science division and chief scientist for the office of mission to planet earth at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Watson was knighted at the beginning of 2012 in Britain’s New Year honors list.  In 2010, he received the Blue Planet Prize, an international environmental award which is said to be Japan's equivalent of the Nobel Prize.  Other awards for his contributions to science include the National Academy of Science’s Award for Scientific Reviewing in 1992, the American Association for the Advancement of Science Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility in 1993 and the insignia of Honorary Companion of St. Michael and St. George from the British Government in 2003.

The event will be archived online for later viewing on the Woodrow Wilson School’s Webmedia site – http://wws.princeton.edu/webmedia.

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