Art, Earth, and the Urgency of Now

Many of us grew up in times when fireflies filled summer evenings and monarch migrations darkened the skies. Today, these magical experiences are becoming memories as we are losing 3% of our insect species every year. Rather than overwhelming you with statistics, this innovative orchestral performance translates the decline of insect life into musical compositions that speak to our shared experiences and what we can do. Symphonic Wings offers a different perspective on the insect extinctions you've witnessed using the universal language of music.

Planet Earth preserves clues to its dramatic past, waiting to be uncovered. Like forensic detectives, geologists analyze evidence to reconstruct extreme events like tsunamis and storms—because the past holds the key to the present. This talk explores how massive coastal boulders help us understand hurricane-force storms and tsunamis. We journey to the Aran Islands’ spectacular boulder deposits to explore new ways to link waves to boulders. Tracking a boulder’s life helps us piece together Earth’s history and improve coastal resilience, from refining hazard maps to enhancing evacuation plans.