January 29, 2008

 

UM Joins Largest Teach-In in U.S. History
Thousands of campuses help focus nation on solutions to global warming

CORAL GABLES, FL –On January 30 and 31, 2008, the University of Miami will participate in Focus The Nation, an unprecedented teach-in model on global warming solutions. “Today’s college students are truly the greatest generation,” says Lewis & Clark professor of economics Dr. Eban Goodstein, author and project director for Focus The Nation. “No other generation has ever had to face this kind of civilizational challenge. And we as educators would be failing if we did not prepare them with the tools to meet this challenge.”

Focus The Nation has created a teach-in model centered on the three most essential pillars for today’s youth to embrace solutions to global warming: education, civic engagement and leadership.

“We are in a time where critical decisions need to be made on global warming, which means today’s leaders and the youth who will inherit the crisis need serious education on the issue,” said James “Gus” Speth, dean, Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. “Focus The Nation is our country’s foremost model to create that level of education and interaction with law makers.”

The teach-in will kick off the night of January. 30, with the 2% Solution web cast produced by the National Wildlife Federation and aired by the Earth Day Network. Panelists will include actor Edward Norton, Stanford climate scientist Steve Schneider, Hunter Lovins, CEO, Natural Capitalism and environmental justice leader, Van Jones, executive director, Ella Baker Center in Oakland, Calif. This event will be hosted by the Sustainable U group at 8:00 p.m. in room 126, at the Cox Science Building, on 1301 Memorial Dr., University of Miami

The next day, January 31, will include panel presentations by faculty members which will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University Center patio on 1306 Stanford Drive, on the University of Miami Coral Gables Campus. (See schedule below)

A Green Democracy round-table discussion between students and elected leaders on solutions to the crisis will conclude the activities for this day. The University of Miami will be inviting local, civic leaders including Chris Himmel, Aide to Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez; Chris Rose, head of Miami-Dade recycling operations and Eugene Flinn, Palmetto Bay Mayor, to engage in the Green Democracy round-table. The event will be held from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in room 126, at the Cox Science Building.

The final piece of Focus The Nation’s teach-in model will be the Choose Your Future vote. All students, faculty and community participants will be encouraged to vote on what they think are the top five solutions from a list of ten to 15 that will be available January, 21, 2008 at www.focusthenation.org. Vote results will be presented nationally in mid February. All students who vote on the Choose Your Future ballot will be eligible to win a $10,000 leadership scholarship for a project to be completed by end of August 2008.

For more information on the University of Miami and their participation in Focus The Nation, please visit www.focusthenation.org or call Scott Lewis at 954-8801-7170

Focus The Nation is an unprecedented educational initiative on global warming solutions for America occurring at more than 1,000 universities and colleges and in all 50 states on Jan. 31, 2008. As the largest teach-in in U.S. history, Focus The Nation is preparing millions of students to become leaders in the largest civilizational challenge any generation has faced. For more information, please visit www.focusthenation.org.

Teach in Panels at the University Center Patio on 1/31

• 9:30-10:30 a.m. Topic: National Security, the Bush Administration and Global Climate Change. Moderator: Bruce Bagley, International Studies Chair, College of Arts & Sciences. Panelists: Roger E. Kanet and Ambler Moss, International Studies Professors, College of Arts & Sciences.
  
  
• 10:45-11:45 a.m. Topic: Environmental History and Pedagogy. Moderator: Robin Bachin, History Department Associate Professor, College of Arts & Sciences. Panelists: Cory Buxton, School of Education Associate Professor; Judy Hood, English Composition Department Lecturer, College of Arts & Sciences and Jessica Bolsen, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Graduate Assistant.
  
  
• 2:15-3:15 p.m. Topic: Sustainable Architecture & Urbanism: Traditions & Innovations. Moderator: Sonia R. Chao, School of Architecture's Center for Urban & Community Design Director. Panelists: Denis Hector, School of Architecture Associate Professor and Associate Dean; and Donald Olson, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Professor.
  
  
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Topic: Environmental Decision Making. Moderator: Rinku Chowdhury, Department of Geography and Regional Studies Research Associate, College of Arts & Sciences Panelists: Antonio Nanni, College of Engineering Professor, and Donald Olson, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science Professor.
  
  
• 4:45-5:45 p.m. Topic: Global Warming, Sea Level Rise and the Law'. Moderator: Hal Wanless, Department of Geological Sciences, professor, College of Arts and Sciences Panelists: Aziza Botchway, director of the Center for Ethics and Public Services, School of Law and College of Arts and Sciences and Will Drennan, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Associate Professor.

#  #  #

The University of Miami is one of the largest private research institutions in the southeastern United States. The University’s mission is to provide quality education, attract and retain outstanding students, support the faculty and their research, and build an endowment for University initiatives.   www.miami.edu