Wheaton focuses on global warming

Wheaton students, staff and faculty will join their peers around the country in seeking to raise awareness about global climate change during Focus the Nation, which is being billed as the biggest teach-in in history.

Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America will involve more than 10,000 volunteers creating events at more than 1,200 schools, faith-based and civic organizations and businesses nationwide. The simultaneous teach-in, which will be on Jan. 31, aims to engage millions of students and citizens in conversation about the pressing topic. Wheaton events will take place on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.

"The purpose is to raise awareness about the probable causes of global warming and possible solutions and actions people can take to counteract greenhouse gases," said Claire Anderson '09, Wheaton's project leader, under the direction of political science professor Jeremiah Murphy. The students at Wheaton's theme-based residence ECCO (Environmentally Conscious and Community-Oriented) House and members of the student-led Sustainability Committee are working with Anderson to plan activities.

As part of the two-day event, Wheaton's on-going effort to lessen its impact on the environment will be highlighted, including recent work to retrofit several buildings on campus to make them more energy efficient and plans for a new science center that will be designed as a "green" building.

"We're such a tight community that we need to work together to minimize our impact as a group. Starting as a campus is a great way to do that," said Anderson, who is pursing an independent major in environmental policy.

Event plans include a lunchtime gathering, two lectures and an information fair that will show individuals how small changes can significantly improve the earth's future. Also, there will be information about how to e-mail legislators about global warming. Those who attend will have an opportunity to calculate their own carbon footprint. Associate Professor of Philosophy Stephen Mathis is scheduled to discuss ethical issues and how those with fewer economic means are more affected by global climate change. Assistant Professor of Physics Jason Goodman is scheduled to discuss greenhouse gases and the basics of global warming.

"I realize it's not possible to change the whole world in two days," said Anderson. "But the event will put an idea in the back of everyone's mind that small changes really do help."