2008 Woodie Awards
Acknowledge that Elephant
It's Time to Choose Our Future
Nancy Marie
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Opinion
Acknowledge that Elephant - It's Time to Choose Our Future
I was unsurprised, but still disappointed, when I attended former President Clinton's address in Eureka last Wednesday. Once again the elephant in the living room was ignored as the well-worn "top priorities" were enumerated. He mentioned global warming just once, and then, only in the middle of a lengthy laundry list of concerns. The mention was barely noticeable for the most part, unless, like me, you were really listening for that particular item. Clinton is not, of course, the only public figure avoiding this monumental problem. It seems the front-runners in both major parties have signed a pact to let that elephant just sit there on the couch this season.
However, a new club on campus, HSU Focus the Nation, is boldly taking up the challenge that our political leaders continue to marginalize. Club members, along with allies in the community, are creating a forum that is part of the largest national Teach-In ever organized. It includes more than 1,450 campuses and communities across the country. On Wednesday, January 30, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., HSU Focus the Nation will present multidisciplinary panels, workshops, speakers, music, impromptu theater, and more.
At 5 p.m. a national video webcast will be aired live in the Kate Buchanan Room. "The 2% Solution," features noted national climate scientists and leaders and will discuss how we can and must reduce our carbon emissions 2% per year until the year 2050 in order to minimize the risk of dangerous climate change.
Attendees will have the opportunity to address the speakers, sharing opinions, information, or questions. Everyone will be encouraged to complete a brief ballot selecting the solutions to climate change they most want their elected officials to support and fund. The focus is on solutions! The results of the vote will be tallied nation-wide and then presented to our political candidates and elected officials.
Focus the Nation is a chance to join with hundreds of thousands of people and insist that our leaders wake up and genuinely face this most critical issue head-on.
I was unsurprised, but still disappointed, when I attended former President Clinton's address in Eureka last Wednesday. Once again the elephant in the living room was ignored as the well-worn "top priorities" were enumerated. He mentioned global warming just once, and then, only in the middle of a lengthy laundry list of concerns. The mention was barely noticeable for the most part, unless, like me, you were really listening for that particular item. Clinton is not, of course, the only public figure avoiding this monumental problem. It seems the front-runners in both major parties have signed a pact to let that elephant just sit there on the couch this season.
However, a new club on campus, HSU Focus the Nation, is boldly taking up the challenge that our political leaders continue to marginalize. Club members, along with allies in the community, are creating a forum that is part of the largest national Teach-In ever organized. It includes more than 1,450 campuses and communities across the country. On Wednesday, January 30, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., HSU Focus the Nation will present multidisciplinary panels, workshops, speakers, music, impromptu theater, and more.
At 5 p.m. a national video webcast will be aired live in the Kate Buchanan Room. "The 2% Solution," features noted national climate scientists and leaders and will discuss how we can and must reduce our carbon emissions 2% per year until the year 2050 in order to minimize the risk of dangerous climate change.
Attendees will have the opportunity to address the speakers, sharing opinions, information, or questions. Everyone will be encouraged to complete a brief ballot selecting the solutions to climate change they most want their elected officials to support and fund. The focus is on solutions! The results of the vote will be tallied nation-wide and then presented to our political candidates and elected officials.
Focus the Nation is a chance to join with hundreds of thousands of people and insist that our leaders wake up and genuinely face this most critical issue head-on.
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