Close ties between climate change and global security are the topics of an upcoming conference at the University of Central Florida featuring experts from across the country.

The conference entitled “Climate Change and National/Global Security” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Student Union on UCF’s main campus. The conference is hosted by the UCF Global Perspectives Office, which is focusing on the theme of “The Environment, Energy and National/Global Security” during this academic year.

Among the scheduled speakers is Retired Vice Adm. Lee Gunn, president of the American Security Project, who will give the morning keynote address at 9:15.

After Gunn’s speech, experts will give a series of presentations on the linkage between climate change and national and global security.

James J. Carafano, assistant director of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies at the Heritage Foundation, will share his views on rethinking the climate and security paradigm at 9:45 a.m.

Next up will be Janet Larsen, director of research at the Earth Policy Institute, who will discuss mobilizing to save civilization from the impacts of climate change at 10:15 a.m.

Joan Johnson-Freese, chair of the National Security Decision Making Department at the U.S. Naval War College, will address climate change and human security at 11 a.m.

A keynote luncheon from 12 to 2 p.m. will feature William Powers, senior fellow at the World Policy Institute and author of “Whispering in the Giant’s Ear: A Frontline Chronicle from Bolivia’s War on Globalization.” Powers will discuss his experiences traveling to developing countries and how these countries are trying to cope with globalization and environmental change.

Telephone and e-mail registrations will be accepted through Thursday, Oct. 29. To register, call 407-823-0688 or e-mail global@mail.ucf.edu. The cost of $50 per person may be paid on the day of the conference. The registration fee includes refreshments, lunch and conference materials.

In addition to UCF’s Global Perspectives Office, conference sponsors include the National Conference of Editorial Writers, UCF’s Student Government Association, Nicholson School of Communication, Diplomacy Program, Terrorism Studies Program, Political Science Department, International Services Center, The India Program at UCF, UCF LIFE, C.T. Hsu International (Group) Co., Lawrence J. Chastang and The Chastang Foundation, The Anil and Chitra Deshpande Foundation, LarsonAllen L.L.P. and the Global Connections Foundation.