ALTOONA, Pa. — Brian Black, distinguished professor of environmental studies and history at Penn State Altoona, was recently the opening keynote speaker for the World History Association’s international meeting held June 22-24 in Pittsburgh.

The meeting’s overarching theme, ENERGIES, offered the opportunity for scholars from around the world to present new and innovative research on a vast array of energy-related topics.

Black based his lecture, titled “To Have and Have Not: Organizing a World History with Energy at its Core," on his latest book, “To Have and Have Not: Energy in World History.”