How could global climate change affect human experience? What does a northward shift of animal and plant species mean to society? What economic and political forces could be affected? These and other questions will be explored by a panel held at Denison University at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Slayter Auditorium (200 Ridge Road). Admission is free and open to the public.

Nan Jenks-Jay, the dean of environmental studies at Middlebury College, will join the global warming panel whose members embrace a wide variety of disciplines. Taking part in the discussion will be Associate Professor of Political Science Jim Pletcher, Assistant Professor of Biology Rebecca Homan, Professor of Geosciences Tod Frolking, Assistant Professor of Economics Quentin Duroy, and Professor of Philosophy Steve Vogel. The panel will offer discussion on selected topics with time for questions from the audience.

At the conclusion of the panel’s discussion, Jenks-Jay will offer a roundtable discussion addressing small colleges and their part in stemming the tide of global warming. Jenks-Jay notes that on the campus of Middlebury College, "The environmental studies major is the third most popular on campus, and the college recycles 64 percent of its waste," according to ACF NewsSource website. Middlebury College has one of the oldest environmental studies programs in the country and is dedicated to on-campus activism in this arena. As dean of environmental studies, Jenks-Jay has a unique insight and appreciation of the actual application of many technologies and procedures that contribute to achieving carbon neutrality and is eager to share that knowledge with the Denison campus.

In addition, on the following day Denison will feature a parade. Because Focus the Nation encourages the country to use January 31 as a day to focus on solutions to global climate change, Denison is bringing a parade and an opportunity for discussion to the campus and the greater community. Weather permitting, the parade kicks off at noon on Thursday, Jan. 31, at Slayter Hall (200 Ridge Road), followed by an information fair. The entire community is welcome to watch the parade and participate in the festivities.

Floats must be entirely non-motorized and will be judged in three contests: most creative/artistic; most pertinent to global warming and campus sustainability; and most sustainable (made from recycled materials). After the parade, students and community members will be available to share information about global climate change and local efforts to aid sustainability.

One of the cornerstones of Focus the Nation is classroom discussion about climate issues. The Focus the Nation organization is encouraging college professors of all disciplines to participate in the discussions on Jan. 31. Topics might include denial in a psychology class, agricultural management in biology or our moral future in religious studies. Associate Professor Jim Pletcher of the political science department notes, "The scope and scale of the potential consequences of global warming are truly profound. From a political point of view, the policies and institutions designed to address global warming -- in particular the Kyoto Protocol -- are embedded in a complex set of competing demands, national interests, distributional issues and high costs.

Assistant Professor Andrew McCall of the biology department says, "I think it's important that we participate because global climate change will affect everyone, including children yet to be born. Unfortunately, we are often shortsighted when it comes to environmental problems that could be saved with a few ounces of prevention." One way to effect change is to make adjustments community by community, right now. And that's what we will be focusing on in the forum and associated activities."

For more information about Denison's Focus the Nation activities and opportunities, visit the Environmental Studies Web site at: www.denison.edu/academics/departments/environmental/focus_the_nation.html

For more information about the Focus the Nation organization, visit their Web site at: www.focusthenation.org

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Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING, Denison University, Granville -- Global Climate Change Panel and Discussion, 7:30 p.m., Weds., Jan. 30, at Slayter Auditorium (200 Ridge Road). Free and open to the public. For further information contact Andrew McCall at (740) 587-8554.

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Focus the Nation parade and information fair, noon, Thurs., Jan. 31, Slayter Hall (200 Ridge Road). Free and open to the public. For more information contact Andrew McCall at (740) 587-8554.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575