Spring Break
Panel on global warming fills Rome ballroom
Eliza Caldwell
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
The Rome ballroom was filled with students and other community members who turned out for the Global Warming Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday night. The speakers were Congressman Joe Courtney and UConn professors Phoebe Godfrey and Anji Seth.
Danielle Schindler, a 2nd-semester exploratory major and ConnPIRG member, said that "it was a nice mix of panelists from different areas who were each experts in their subjects. Also, it was great to have Joe Courtney here to talk to his constituents. ConnPIRG really appreciates him taking the time to speak at UConn."
Seth began the lecture by summarizing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report declaring global warming to be definite and likely caused by human activities. She noted that sea level rise and Arctic summer ice loss could occur as early as 2015.
Godfrey drew a parallel between people's reactions to Sept. 11 and their reactions to global warming. Unlike terrorist attacks, which provoke activism, global warming is overwhelming and distances people with its sheer magnitude. People take action in ways that don't involve changing their own lives; instead of reducing energy use, we search for alternatives that can maintain our standard of living. She stated that eating less meat would have a larger impact on greenhouse gas reductions than any other action.
"I agree with Godfrey," said Zaheen Hussain, a 6th-semester environmental science major, "but such statements preach to the choir. We must work on getting people from different backgrounds and beliefs to hear these ideas and change their views."
Courtney lauded the stimulus package, which contained green energy initiatives, but stated that the fight for clean energy legislation will be arduous.
"It's important to hammer home the science of global warming in the face of the media's loud debate on the truth behind the science," he said. "The window of time for legislation is small; this is the year for action."
He expressed hope for the new Waxman-Markey Bill that addresses energy legislation, and urged Americans to write or call their Congressmen, write editorials and arrange events such as Tuesday's discussion so as to raise awareness on the issue and have their voices heard.
Before the panelists answered audience questions, ConnPIRG presented Courtney with 1,000 petitions signed by area college students calling for increased action on global warming. Courtney jokingly stumbled under the weight of the many bundles of green cards.
The lecture ended on the hopeful note that action can be taken on climate change, but Courtney urged attendees not to relax in the light of the new administration. Instead, he said that we must increase pressure on the government and media to overpower dirty energy interests and make global warming legislation a priority.
Danielle Schindler, a 2nd-semester exploratory major and ConnPIRG member, said that "it was a nice mix of panelists from different areas who were each experts in their subjects. Also, it was great to have Joe Courtney here to talk to his constituents. ConnPIRG really appreciates him taking the time to speak at UConn."
Seth began the lecture by summarizing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's report declaring global warming to be definite and likely caused by human activities. She noted that sea level rise and Arctic summer ice loss could occur as early as 2015.
Godfrey drew a parallel between people's reactions to Sept. 11 and their reactions to global warming. Unlike terrorist attacks, which provoke activism, global warming is overwhelming and distances people with its sheer magnitude. People take action in ways that don't involve changing their own lives; instead of reducing energy use, we search for alternatives that can maintain our standard of living. She stated that eating less meat would have a larger impact on greenhouse gas reductions than any other action.
"I agree with Godfrey," said Zaheen Hussain, a 6th-semester environmental science major, "but such statements preach to the choir. We must work on getting people from different backgrounds and beliefs to hear these ideas and change their views."
Courtney lauded the stimulus package, which contained green energy initiatives, but stated that the fight for clean energy legislation will be arduous.
"It's important to hammer home the science of global warming in the face of the media's loud debate on the truth behind the science," he said. "The window of time for legislation is small; this is the year for action."
He expressed hope for the new Waxman-Markey Bill that addresses energy legislation, and urged Americans to write or call their Congressmen, write editorials and arrange events such as Tuesday's discussion so as to raise awareness on the issue and have their voices heard.
Before the panelists answered audience questions, ConnPIRG presented Courtney with 1,000 petitions signed by area college students calling for increased action on global warming. Courtney jokingly stumbled under the weight of the many bundles of green cards.
The lecture ended on the hopeful note that action can be taken on climate change, but Courtney urged attendees not to relax in the light of the new administration. Instead, he said that we must increase pressure on the government and media to overpower dirty energy interests and make global warming legislation a priority.
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