The forum is a national conversation about how to deal with climate change and Humboldt State will host a full day of campus-wide lectures and discussions on Wednesday, January 30.
Topics will include the root causes and economics of global warming, the impact on oceans and ice sheets, local needs and solutions, Green Wheels transportation policy and bicycle workshops, green building, Native American perspectives and obstacles to change. Events will take place in HSU’s Kate Buchanan Room at University Center, Goodwin Forum in Nelson Hall and the Green & Gold Room in Founders Hall. The full agenda and meeting times are detailed at www.humboldt.edu/~ftn1.
The Town Hall Meeting is scheduled to convene at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, January 31, in the Arcata City Council Chambers. Viewing and a call-in will be available via Humboldt Access Channel 12. Local tribal and political leaders, including Congressman Mike Thompson (via video conference) and Third District Supervisor John Woolley, one of Humboldt State’s 2004 Distinguished Alumni, will take part.
“We will join with thousands across the country to educate ourselves and demand from our leaders aggressive action to protect our climate, our planet and the most vulnerable among us,” said Jennifer Berman, Coordinator of the Redwood Alliance’s Climate Action Project. Participants will include HSU’s Focus the Nation Club and Natural History Museum, Humboldt State Associated Students and the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter North Group, as well as Berman’s organization.
“The HSU Focus the Nation Teach-In is an entirely free event and the whole community is encouraged to attend,” Berman said. “In the next few years, we have to rewire the planet, reinvent transportation and re-imagine our cities. The Teach-In is about preparing ourselves for the national effort to change the way we use energy and resources. Americans have to harness all that is best about humanity—our know-how, our ingenuity, our entrepreneurial abilities and our compassion for each other and our world. Every member of society will be part of this national effort, which includes preparing our youth to change the way we power our planet. The Teach-In is a way to educate ourselves as we listen to the presenters, ask questions and engage in dialogue. At the Town Hall Meeting, student and local government representatives will have a chance to hear from citizens, young and old alike, about what we think the new energy future should look like.”
Kristin Gierman, HSU Focus The Nation Club President, said, “It is up to the citizens of the United States to take charge of the nation’s future. Focus the Nation seeks to reach out to all people who want to understand more about what can be done in the face of dramatic climate change”.
For more information, contact Jennifer Berman at climatechange@redwoodalliance.org and 707-822-6171 or Kristin Gierman, President of the HSU Focus the Nation Club, at toesfeet@gmail.com.
Details of the agenda and the background of the national event are at www.focusthenation.org.