Global warming seminar heats up

     Beach volleyball and a kiddy pool on the front lawn in January might seem out of the ordinary, but for the members of the Environmental Science Club, it makes perfect sense.
GCSU was one of over 400 campuses that participated in Global Warming Day, Tuesday Jan. 29
     “We are trying to make (Global Warming) more visible,” said Robin Barker, a junior environmental science major and the president of ESC.
     The day’s events are designed to promote policy change and public awareness for the subject of climate change and coincides with National Week of Action sponsored by the Campus Climate Challenge.
     Participants of the demonstration certainly caught the eyes of students, faculty and staff by sporting bathing suits and tank tops while music usually associated with summer and beach scenes filled the air. Signs reminding people in humorous ways about the affects of global warming dotted the scenery as well. 
     The festivities lasted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., giving ESC members time to discuss issues and explain details with curious lookers-on.  They provided a vast array of information in the form of pamphlets and displays, and encouraged attendance at a series of teach-ins to educate on details of global warming.
      The series of teach-ins is hosted by Coverdell Institute, and started the same night in Arts & Sciences Auditorium at 7 p.m.  The first session featured professors Doug Oetter and Melanie DeVore, who spoke on the subject of global warming, specifically current trends in climate change and methods for exploring trends of the past. 
     “The giant inflatable earth got my attention, so I had to go find out what they were saying about global warming issues,” said Rebecca Croft, a sophomore nursing major.
Barker held a sign that claimed without greenhouse gases, the temperature outside would be 35 degrees colder.  He encouraged people to be mindful that while greenhouse gases exist naturally and are necessary, they pose a major threat when they exist in excess, which they currently do. 
     ESC not only brought the causes of severe climate change to attention, but they also highlighted many ways that people can make a difference and can positively affect the suppression of such changes in global climate.  One such suggestion is to work on leaving a lighter footprint on the earth, or simply worded, living less wastefully. Students can calculate their impact on the earth by visiting www.FightGlobalWarming.com, and clicking on “Calculate Your Impact.”
     “It is important for members of the Georgia College community to realize how our daily choices might affect global climate,” said Dr. Jennifer Rhode, professor of environmental science. 
      According to Environmental Defense, the United States is currently ranked number one as a global warming polluter compared to other large nations, and the average American is said to produce 8.4 tons of carbon dioxide a year.
     “The Environmental Science Club is working hard to help each of us understand climate change and make environmentally-conscious lifestyle choices,” said Rhode.
The ESC, through the presentation of facts and messages, hope to make people around campus more aware of the prominence of the issue.  It is for this reason the club is making efforts to bring awareness to the campus, no matter how unconventional the efforts may seem.

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Posted by Colonnade Archives on Feb 9 2007. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry