Save the Nation, Save the World

Dickinson to participate in national symposium

January 22, 2008

Dickinsonians walked, rode and skated from campus to the square in Carlisle for the Step it Up Rally in April 2007.

Vallie Edenbo '02 enjoys getting others to sustain an interest in sustainability.

Edenbo, program coordinator for environmental studies at Dickinson, has played a key role in organizing the college's role in next week's series of environmental events that are part of an unprecedented free and public nationwide symposium designed to raise awareness about sustainability and climate change.

Dickinson is one of more than 1,300 colleges, schools and organizations scheduled to participate in the Focus the Nation: Global Warming Solutions for America, scheduled to run from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2.

"This is an opportunity for the entire Dickinson community, our colleagues, friends and neighbors to discuss, identify and embrace our roles in finding solutions to the consequences associated with global climate change," Edenbo said. "We know that the earth is warming. We know that global warming is having real effects on the communities in which we live, both social and environmental. It is our responsibility as global citizens to take this situation seriously, to make changes and enact the solutions. It is our responsibility as educators to challenge our students to think critically and creatively."

A civilization issue

Dickinson's keynote presenter is Daniel J. Desmond, deputy secretary for the Pennsylvania Office of Energy and Technology Deployment. His talk is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m., in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter (ATS) auditorium on West Louther Street between College and Cherry streets. Desmond's office, created in 2003, is responsible for identifying and supporting markets for innovative environmental and advanced energy technologies.

Focus the Nation, which will feature what organizers describe as the largest national teach-in ever, was founded by Eban Goodstein, professor of economics at Lewis & Clark College, with the goal of promoting dialogue on global warming solutions.

"This is not an environmental issue, this is a civilization issue," Goodstein said.

Edenbo agreed, saying, "it is up to everyone to not only pay attention to the problem, but fix it."

"Today's college students are the ones who will hold global warming consequences to a manageable level through energy conservation, renewable energy technology and creative new social systems that strive for social and environmental equity," she said. "We must make time to have collaborative, focused and honest discussions with our students on global climate change solutions and environmental sustainability. On a national level, I hope it will mark the beginning of a year in which the national dialogue on climate change shifts away from a debate about causes and intensity, moves toward solutions and starts to answer the question: How are we going to address climate change?"

Numerous organizations and individuals across the college and the community will be involved. The news release has a complete schedule of events.