Event: Focus the Nation!

On February 15-16, St. Olaf College will kick off a national teach-in on global warming called "Focus the Nation” that will include more than 1000 institutions across the U.S. Focus the Nation is an initiative designed to inform college students and other communities about the realities of global climate change, and about constructive responses to it. The idea is to serve as a catalyst for a broader cultural (and political) conversation about the issue, so that all candidates in the 2008 election will offer policy solutions to the challenge. For more information on the national teach-in, visit http://focusthenation.org.

While most participating institutions will host their Focus the Nation event on January 31st, St. Olaf will focus the nation first, since we’re not in session on January 31. The event will open with a keynote address by David Orr on January 15th at 7:30pm in Science Center 280.

On the 16th, over 25 faculty and staff, including President David Anderson, will speak on various topics related to climate change in Viking Theater and in the Black Ballroom in Buntrock Commons. In the afternoon at 3:30, Bon Appetit will host a "World Cafe" in the King’s Room. Many of the speakers and panelists will join Arctic explorer Will Steger, students, professors, faculty, staff and local residents to form small rotating discussion groups on climate change solutions while enjoying free snacks.

At 7:00 p.m. in Science Center 280, Arctic explorer and environmentalist Will Steger will speak as an eyewitness to climate changing, showing the changes that he’s observed in his expeditions to the Arctic. He will be joined by Toby Thorleiffson, a Norwegian arctic explorer and environmental educator.

The event will be concluded with a concert dance in the Lion’s Pause, starting immediately after Steger’s presentation.

For more information on Focus the Nation at St. Olaf, please consult the information boards in the Crossroads of Buntrock Commons.