Giant University Focus on Global Warming

Giant University Focus on Global Warming



Feb, 2008  - Global warming is being 
explored at more than 1,500 universities, colleges and high schools across 
the country this week in what organizers are calling the largest teach-in 
in American history. 
The problems posed by Earth's warming climate and the best possible 
solutions are the subject of classes, seminars, panels, debates, 
teleconferences, workshops, roundtable discussions, expos, concerts and 
theatrical performances, banquets featuring local foods, pub crawls, film 
and video showings, poster contests, contests for the best artwork made 
from recycled materials with cash prizes for the winners.

At Missouri State University, 20 tons of coal are being piled up to 
represent the amount of coal the school uses in one hour. 
Events on every campus are different, yet there is a common theme - 
tackling global warming before disasters such as rising sea levels, 
melting glaciers, extreme weather shifts, extinction of species and the 
northward migration of tropical diseases go even farther than they already 
have. 
The nationwide initiative, called Focus the Nation, is a project of the 
Green House Network, an environmental advocacy group. The idea originated 
with Eben Goodstein, a professor of economics at Lewis and Clark College 
in Portland, Oregon. 
He kicked off Focus the Nation on Friday at Clemson University in South 
Carolina, the day before the state's presidential primary race. 

"I am thrilled to have our national kickoff at Clemson University," said 
Goodstein, "Clemson is already a leader with their Restoration Institute 
in exactly the kind of thinking and innovation that this country needs to 
move beyond fatalism and launch a clean energy revolution. The research 
talent at the university, combined with the political will of South 
Carolina voters, makes Clemson a perfect fit to launch Focus the Nation." 
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama mentioned Focus the Nation as 
he campaigned at Clemson on Friday. 
"There is an organization called Focus the Nation, which is going to have 
the largest campus teach in on global warming in United States history 
right here on the Clemson campus," Obama said. "This is an important issue 
and I want everyone to be involved with it, everybody to be paying 
attention. I hope all of you choose to participate, because this is a 
terrific issue." 
Most Focus the Nation events are scheduled for Thursday, January 31, a 
date chosen because it falls during the presidential primary season. But 
so many events are planned, that they have spilled over to fill the 
calendar through mid-February. 
At Goodstein's home campus, Lewis and Clark College, more than 50 faculty 
members will participate in panel discussions on global warming. 
Many campuses will feature an interactive webcast called "The 2% SOLUTION" 
that Focus the Nation will stream live Wednesday night. 
The webcast will feature Stanford University climate scientist Stephen 
Schneider, actor Edward Norton, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins, and 
green jobs pioneer Van Jones with youth climate leaders in a discussion of 
global warming solutions. Audiences can weigh in with cell phone voting 
for the best solutions. 
"Our goal is 10,000 screenings, and a change in the course of history," 
said Goodstein. 
The webcast is built around the idea that developed countries need to cut 
roughly 2% of current emission levels a year for the next 40 years to hold 
global warming to the low end of 3-4 degrees Fahrenheit that scientists 
say will help avert the worst effect of a warming climate. 
This 2% goal will require cuts in global warming pollution in the 
developed countries by more than 80 percent below current levels by 2050. 
The webcast participants explore what it would take to move the United 
States onto that path. 
Produced with the support of the National Wildlife federation, and hosted 
on Earth Day Network TV, the webcast will be broadcast live from the 
University of Central Florida in Orlando. 
Focus the Nation is intended to motivate students across the country to 
understand the urgency of the situation. 
"Climate change may not be a priority for students today, but if we wait 
until tomorrow to make it a priority, it might be too late," said Kareem 
Salem, president of Associated Students of University of California-Davis. 

"You've heard enough about the problem," said Vince Pawlowski, a part-time 
University of Arizona student who worked to involve the university in the 
initiative. 
"We've got global warming now. It's here. It's not just knocking on the 
door. It's in the room," Pawlowski said. "We're not debating whether it's 
a problem or not. We're trying to move the discussion to the solution." 
Pawlowski acknowledged that not everyone believes global climate change is 
happening and affecting the world's populations and natural resources. 
"But it's not the deniers who are the problem. They are few and far 
between and are easily outmatched by anyone who has read the literature," 
he said. "It's every one of us who knows there's a problem and don't do 
enough – that's going to be the biggest problem." 
Dozens of politicians of both parties at all levels of government are 
lending their support to Focus the Nation. 
Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid of Nevada will speak at the 
University of Nevada-Reno, Senator Bill Nelson is taking part in the 2% 
Solution webcast. Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts is speaking at North 
Shore Community College. Senator Max Baucus will be at the University of 
Montana - Missoula. 
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island will be at Brown University. 
"Global warming is among the most significant challenges we face. Congress 
is finally taking action - but we need public support to act boldly," said 
Whitehouse. "I hope this event will give Rhode Islanders an opportunity to 
speak out." 
Congressman Edward Markey of Massachusetts, who chairs the House Select 
Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will be speaking at 
Tufts University. Congressman Henry Waxman of California will be at Santa 
Monica College. 
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will speak at San Francisco State 
University, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks will be at Florida A&M 
University, and Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle, who started the University 
of Washington 
Governor Arnold Schwarznegger wrote to the organization last week, "I was 
excited to learn that hundreds of California colleges, universities, K-12 
schools and organizations are participating in Focus the Nation… I want to 
thank all of the participants, supporters and organizers of Focus the 
Nation for creating this wonderful opportunity. I also applaud all the 
young people for getting involved, and I encourage each of you to continue 
to share what you learn with your friends, families and communities." 
For more information, visit Focus the Nation at: 
http://www.focusthenation.org/ 

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