CSUN Participates in National Teach-In Dedicated to Global Warming
(NORTHRIDGE, Jan. 22, 2008) — Cal State Northridge faculty and students will participate in a national teach-in focused on strategizing and creating solutions to global warming.
On Thursday, Jan. 31, the teach-in will take place from noon to 4 p.m. in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union located on the east side of campus, adjacent to Zelzah Avenue.
The event, "Global Warming Solutions for America," is based on Focus the Nation, which centers on the three most essential pillars for today’s youth to embrace solutions to global warming: education, civic engagement and leadership.
"The teach-in is a great way to make a difference in global warming," said Ashwani Vasishth, an assistant professor in CSUN’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning. "It will focus on what people can do on an individual basis."
The event will include a variety of global warming curricula presented by faculty and guest speakers. It will conclude with a "Green Democracy" round-table discussion between students and panel members. Local and regional civic leaders also will be invited to add perspective to the discussion.
As part of the effort, the 2% Solution, a web cast produced by the National Wildlife Federation and aired by the Earth Day Network, will be accessible for viewing, Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 8 p.m., at http://www.focusthenation.org/2percentsoltuion.php. Panelists will include actor Edward Norton, Stanford climate scientist Steve Schneider and Natural Capitalism and environmental justice leader Van Jones.
In completion to Focus the Nation’s teach-in model, all students, faculty and community participants will be encouraged to vote for the five best solutions to global warming, available on the Web at www.focusthenation.org, beginning Jan. 21. Voting results will be presented nationally in mid-February.
"We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative," said student Raychel Espiritu, who with Vasishth is co-chair of the CSUN event. "This is education at its finest. It represents the enormous power that youth have when they use their education to create positive change in the world."
For more information on the event, visit www.focusthenation.org or call (818) 677-6137.