WestConn to participate in national global warming teach-in
DANBURY, CONN. — Joining colleges and universities across the country, Western Connecticut State University will host a “Focus the Nation” teach-in on global warming Thursday, Jan. 31, on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury.
To help raise community awareness about global warming and solutions for America, the faculty and staff have planned activities that will include an international debate via Webcast with WSCU students and students from Estonia moderated by Associate Professor of Political Science Dr. Chris Kukk and Assistant Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Wynn Wilcox. Also planned are a slide presentation of chaos theory as it explains climate change by English Professor Dr. John Briggs and presentations on environmental, ecological and meteorological factors and their psychological, social and cultural impacts.
Dr. Mitch Wagener, associate professor of biological and environmental sciences at WCSU, will talk about climate effects on New England, including the possibility of a tropical, palm-tree dotted landscape near the end of this century.
“I think one of the important things is that the universities should consider themselves a resource of the community at large,” Wagener said. “It’s not just a matter of hot weather; it’s a matter of changing a lot of ways we interact with ourselves and our environment. We’re going to have to adapt to the change in the climate. We cannot ignore it.”
The activities will be from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and, unless otherwise noted, will take place at the Student Center Theater. The public is invited and admission is free.
The event is co-sponsored by Roots and Shoots, a program promoting positive environmental change founded by Jane Goodall with an office on WCSU’s Midtown campus.
“Focus the Nation” is an educational initiative that promotes civic engagement. More than 1,000 institutions, mostly colleges and universities, have signed on to participate on Jan. 31.
The schedule of events at WCSU is as follows:
- 9 – 10:30 a.m. — “Climate & Global Politics: An International Debate” presented by Kukk and Wilcox in Old Main Suite 304.
- 10:30 – 11 a.m. — “Climate & Harmony: French Horn quartet and slides” presented by Dr. Marjorie Callaghan, assistant professor of music and music education, will be a 20-minute slide show on the chaos theory accompanied by live music.
- 11 – Noon — “The Chaos Behind the Climate” presented by Briggs will focus on how the dynamic and chaotic nature of climate makes exact prediction difficult. He also will offer a definition of climate crisis. Briggs also will discuss “tipping points,” yet unknown global areas that may be the sites of sudden and dramatic change. A question-and-answer session will follow.
- Noon – 1 p.m. — “Will Climate Change Create a New Consciousness?” The challenge of necessary psycho-spiritual changes presented by Dr. Fredrica Halligan, director of WestConn’s Counseling Center. Halligan will focus on the need to adopt behavioral and psychological changes as we struggle to cope with climate change and reduce our carbon imprint and greenhouse gases. In order to be part of the solution and not continuing as part of the problem, the spiritual dimension may also need to be called on.
- 1 – 2 p.m. — “Why Go Green? The Really Real Answer.” Friar Mike Lasky, of the Newman Center, will present the holistic Franciscan perspective on making authentic, moral choices about how we live and challenge people to look at their choices and how they relate to the environment.
- 2 – 3 p.m. — “Can Democracies Cope with Climate Change? And If They Cannot …?” A discussion about whether free-market economies are capable and willing to rein in growth and/or redirect it and whether U.S. electorates will ultimately choose to save the planet or preserve democracy led by Adjunct Instructor Rock Brynner.
- 3 – 4 p.m. — “Effects of Climate Change on New England Environments.” Wagener will discuss the physical reality of a changing climate here in New England, such as how warmer and likely wetter weather and rising sea levels will impact our ecology. As sugar maple trees and song sparrows become less common, other organisms will move in — forests of maples and beech trees will be replaced by oaks and hickories.
- 4 – 5:30 p.m. — “Climate Change and Higher Education: Leadership to Achieve Climate Neutrality” will include a Webcast and discussion led by Dr. Robert Whittemore, professor of anthropology, in Old Main Room 202.
- 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. — “A Climatic Happening: An Open Discussion” that will address questions such as What must we do? What is likely to happen? How can we cope? Moderated by Wilcox and including Dr. Albert Owino, assistant professor of physics, astronomy and meteorology, Briggs, Channel 8’s Dr. Mel Goldstein and a representative from the Jane Goodall Institute.
For more information, call Jennifer O’Brien at (203) 837-8837, Dr. Fredrica Halligan at (203) 837-8693 or the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.
Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.
