'Focus the Nation' Teach In Is TODAY ~ 1.31.08

I just love hearing the title "teach in."  Harkens back, huh?  Are you participating today?  January 31st, after all, is the BIG DAY if you're into climate change.  And we can be proud because it all started here - natch.  At Lewis & Clark College, actually.  Not necessarily a parent-friendly event, but an important one, nonetheless - if for no other reason than just about every single school in the nation is joined up and, while I am so very out of it on the many things that require babysitters, why miss all this?

What is it, anyway?  Best described by them:

Focus the Nation is organizing a national teach-in on global warming solutions for America—creating a dialog at over a thousand colleges, universities, high schools, middle schools, places of worship, civic organizations and businesses, and directly engaging millions of students and citizens with the nation’s decision-makers. Focus the Nation will culminate January 31st, 2008 in simultaneous educational symposia held across the country. Our intent is to move America beyond fatalism to a determination to face up to this civilizational challenge, the challenge of our generation.

Focus the Nation is an educational initiative, but we also promote civic engagement. Each Focus team will invite local, state and federal political leaders and decision-makers to come to campus and participate in a non-partisan, round-table discussion of global warming solutions. US Senators and members of congress, state representatives, mayors and city councilors, all will be receiving dozens of invitations to speak about global warming, from over a thousand institutions nation-wide. Every institution will also vote on their top five national priorities for global warming action, producing a campus and citizen endorsed policy agenda for 2008.

Your kids' schools? Are they having teach-ins?  Have you been involved? 

Gonna Go Yourself?  Excellent - there are loads of events/locations in the PdxMetro area at schools, universities and churches.  The main one is at the University of Portland.  If you go, it'd be great to get your feedback in the comments section. Taking the kids?   

Can't Make It?  Me either.  But OPB will host a special live broadcast at 6 PM, and Focus the Nation has great resource and action sections.  Check 'em out and participate when & how it works for you!   

Comments

[MollyH]

I attended the event last night at UP and thought some might appreciate a report. Students from around the Portland region questioned Gov. Ted Kulongoski, State Rep. Jackie Dingfelder, State Sen. Ben Westlund, and U.S. Sen. Earl Blumenauer on all sorts of "green" issues. The politicians responses' ranged from dry to depressing (we can't change too much) to inspiring, but the whole thing was a big learning experience for me (I learned about the creation of new green jobs; about the LNG controversy; what "cap and trade" means, etc.). Most awesome though was to see how knowledgeable and committed this group of students is to issues of climate change and the possible catastrophes ahead. As a working mom of two young children, I often feel defeated about the limited amount I'm able to do (drive less, change lightbulbs, email a congressperson or two). These students demonstrated that they have the time and are committed to seeing changes happen for their own children. Very inspiring!

[LTF]

Thanks so much for the report out! I am impressed that you made it! I feel the same way re how much can I REALLY do in my own little life - lightbulbs, walk places more, etc..., but I recall a NYT op-ed a few months ago where the main point was: elect officials in relevant spots who'll make the hard changes - state leg, Congress, Pres, etc... They can do so much more so quickly than all the light bulb changes in the world. again, thanks for sharing your experience with those who couln't be there but wanted to be!

[LTF]

I forgot to ask: might you know of any candidates who are very strong on this issue?

[MollyH]

Lisa, you mean prez candidates I presume?
Actually, I have been disappointed not to hear more on the prez campaign trail about climate change issues. I haven't been following SUPER closely (since we vote so late in OR and so therefore won't have much of a say), but environmental stuff doesn't seem to be at the foreground of republicans' agendas (to be expected?) nor those of Clinton or Obama. I just keep thinking that the tide is turning, though, and whoever gets into the White House will have to sing a different tune on this stuff than our present fearsome leader.