News Release

BOISE STATE NEWS RELEASE / January 14, 2008

Boise State Joins 'Focus the Nation' Climate Change Initiative with 1,000 other Universities, Colleges

Boise State University will host a series of Focus the Nation events Jan. 30-31 as part of an unprecedented national educational initiative on global warming solutions for America at more than 1,000 universities and colleges and in all 50 states.

The goal of Focus the Nation is to jump-start a national discussion on the goal of “stabilizing the climate in the 21st century.” The project will culminate on Jan. 31 with one-day, national symposia held simultaneously on campuses across the country.

At Boise State, Focus the Nation events will include a series of classes and seminars to educate the university community about causes and effects of global change, discussions with government and business leaders about solutions to climate change, and the calculation of Boise State’s carbon footprint. Boise Public Schools will also be participating in Focus the Nation.

“This is truly a ground-breaking event, not only on our campus, but across this country,” said John Gardner, Boise State’s associate vice president for energy research, policy and campus sustainability and a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering in the College of Engineering. “Boise State’s extensive program surrounding Focus The Nation is an example of the university’s continued leadership to ensure that future generations of Idahoans enjoy both prosperity and a sound environment.”

Gardner is coordinating the Focus the Nation efforts on the Boise State campus along with Jen Pierce, a Boise State geosciences professor who researches how climate change impacts river flows, erosion, wildfire extent and intensity, snowmelt and other natural processes.

“Climate change is the single biggest challenge facing civilization during our generation,” Pierce said. “The best way to impact and prepare for the changes induced by climate change is by creating a dialog and educating people about how their choices drive what’s happening.”

Here’s a rundown of Focus the Nation events at Boise State:

• Carbon Footprint Presentation, Jan. 30, 10 a.m., Boise State Quad – Join Boise State students and faculty as they present the results of their calculation of Boise State’s carbon footprint.

• Business Symposium, Jan. 30, noon, Student Union Building, Hatch Ballroom – Businesses are often leaders in addressing complex problems and identifying opportunities for creating competitive advantage. This symposium, “The Business of Climate Change: Risk and Opportunity” will help businesses create successful climate change strategies. Cost is $45 and includes lunch, reception and parking. For more information on the business symposium, call Katie Sewell at 426-3838 or e-mail her at ksewell@boisestate.edu. To register, call 426-1640 or visit idahosbdc.org.

• The 2% Solution webcast, Jan. 30, 6 p.m., Student Union Building, Special Events Center Join Stanford University climate scientist Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins and green jobs pioneer Van Jones and youth climate leaders for a discussion of global warming solutions in a free, live, interactive webcast. Audiences can weigh in with cell phone voting.

• Climate change and faith, Jan. 30, 7:30 p.m., Interactive Learning Center, Jones Lecture Hall – Rev. Tri Robinson speaks about “Biblical Solutions to a World in Crisis” as part of the Focus the Nation national effort to involve organizations of faith in discussions about climate change.

• Research symposium, Jan. 31, 9 a.m., Student Union Building, Lookout Room – Learn about new climate change research being conducted by Idaho’s top scientists and researchers. Researchers will present posters about the causes and effects of climate change in Idaho, from changes in snowmelt and soil moisture, to the effects of climate change on forest fires and Bull Trout habitat. This symposium is free and open to the public.

• Green Democracy national symposia, Jan. 31, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Student Union Building, Hatch Ballroom – Join professor Stephanie Witt, director of Boise State’s Public Policy Center and Social Science Research Center as she moderates a discussion between community leaders concerning Idaho solutions and the top climate concerns voiced by Boise State students and community through an on-campus vote the week of Jan. 22-25. Similar symposia will be held simultaneously across the nation.

• Greener Solutions art exhibition, Jan. 22-Feb.1, Student Union, North Lounge – Boise State’s Focus the Nation committee is hosting a juried art show titled “Greener Solutions.” Submitted artwork will be juried and prizes will be awarded by Joshua Olsen of the Boise City Arts Commission and Barbara Robinson of the Idaho Commission on the Arts. Artwork for the exhibition is being accepted in the Student Union Building’s Bergquist Lounge 3-7 p.m., Jan. 16, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m, Jan. 17.

• Climate Change Courses, various times, Jan. 30-31 – Boise State professors will teach classes on climate-change related topics, ranging from the science behind climate change to environmental politics and policy. Classes are free and open to the public. Check website for times and locations.

For more information about Focus the Nation at Boise State go to
http://www.boisestate.edu/focusthenation/. To volunteer, e-mail Nick Sutfin at nicksutfin@mail.boisestate.edu.

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Media Contact: Mike Journee, University Communications, (208) 426-1517, mikejournee@boisestate.edu

Boise State University is emerging as a metropolitan research university of distinction. This transformation is being powered by the university’s first comprehensive campaign to support students, faculty, strategic initiatives, research and infrastructure. That’s why the campaign to raise $175 million in private support is called Destination Distinction.
 

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Last reviewed on Friday, January 18, 2008