Loyola on Tuesday is hosting a scholar who will discuss if green spaces are killing us. Intriguing. 

Info from Loyola (more):

Ecocritic speaks Feb. 19

Literary and environmental scholar Vin Nardizzi, Ph.D., of the University of British Columbia will discuss how our affinity for green spaces can actually reap destructive consequences in a free public lecture Feb. 19 at Loyola University New Orleans.

Part of the Biever Guest Lecture Series, “The Grass is Greener” lecture is set for 5 p.m. in the Whitney Bank Presentation Room located in Thomas Hall on Loyola’s main campus.

Discussing mid-century science fiction narratives about plants that turn into human killers, Nardizzi will offer his critique of green spaces: why, if we know that greener grass is not always safer, do we continue to use chemical agents in pursuit of a deadly green aesthetic?

“I’m interested in critiquing the ‘goodness’ of ‘green’ by thinking through the environmental consequences of keeping it green in places where it’s usually not, or is so with only intense labor and chemical treatment: the lawns of Arizona, Las Vegas and parched Los Angeles,” Nardizzi said.

 A Q-and-A session will follow the talk. The event is sponsored by Loyola’s English department and the Environment Program.

Nardizzi is assistant professor of English at the University of British Columbia, where he teaches Renaissance literature, ecocriticism, and queer and disability studies.

For more information, contact Loyola assistant professor of English Hillary Ecklund, Ph.D., at 504-865-2263.