Scientist discusses global environmental issues at Sultans banquet

Professor Jan Zalasiewicz (pictured) from our School of Geography, Geology and the Environment recently spoke at a banquet in Frankfurt held by the sovereign ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah, Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi.

During the event, which took place on Tuesday 10 October, Professor Zalasiewicz gave a speech about geological topics outlined in his books, ‘The Planet in a Pebble’ and ‘The Earth After Us’.

Professor Zalasiewicz said: "Rocks might appear simple on the surface, but they are immensely complex, and contain myriad clues to how our planet has evolved in the ancient past. Those clues also help us understand how the Earth is changing today  – and how it might evolve in the future."

The banquet was attended by Ali Abdullah Al Ahmad, UAE Ambassador to Germany; Brigadier-General Saif Al Zari Al Shamsi, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police; Ahmad Bin Rakad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority; Abdul Aziz Taryam, CEO Adviser and General Manager of Etisalat Northern Emirates; Mohammad Hassan Khalaf, director-general of the Sharjah Media Foundation; as well as a number of dignitaries, editors of UAE newspapers and a number of writers and publishers.