Correction appended
About 700 students filtered in and out of the HUB Auditorium yesterday as a large projected image of grass sprouting from the words "Focus the Nation" advertised the largest teach-in in the nation's history.
During Penn State's "Focus the Nation" event yesterday, 15 Penn State professors were a part of the 1,600 nationwide events. "Focus the Nation" was initiated to raise awareness and increase education on climate change.
"Climate change is as important an issue as it is complicated," said Seth Baum (graduate-geography), the lead organizer for the Penn State event.
The event featured university professors and researchers speaking about climate change from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., including three of the Penn State professors who share the Nobel Prize with other members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and former Vice President Al Gore.
Throughout the day, all the presenters
pointed out that the only way to solve the issue of climate change is to corral people of all backgrounds behind a solution.
"I think everyone is beginning to realize how connected we are," said Anne Thompson, an IPCC member and professor. "We can all look forward to being part of the solution."
Klaus Keller, also an IPCC member and Penn State professor, touched upon the changing face of climate change.
"These are heady times. The strongest change is the perception people have about climate change," he said. "The perception is growing that using too much of our fossil fuel is an act of polluting."
William Easterling, IPCC member and professor, presented information about the impending food shortage crisis worldwide.
"It is projected that there will be 10 to 12 billion people living by the end of the century. Can we feed the world with that many people and with climate change?" Easterling said.
He also said the imbalance in temperature could lead to agricultural disaster.
"There will be more droughts and more floods. Those will become part of our lexicon more so than even today," he said.
Penn State professor Adam Rome spoke about the history of environmental issues in America. The United States has been grappling with the issue of the environment since the Civil War, with increased awareness coming to a head in the early 1970s, he said.
"My deepest hope for today is that this is not just about awareness but also empowerment," Rome said.
Elizabeth Crisfield, a Penn State professor of earth and mineral sciences, noted the advances scientists have made in projecting the future of climate.
"Scientists' predictions have gotten much more accurate but also a lot more scary," she said.
She also spoke about the power every individual holds to sway the future of climate change.
"In a college setting, students feel transient and feel they don't have power to make change, but everyone has a circle of influence," Crisfield said.
Some students said they were excited to be a part the event.
"This is an important topic, and this event is a good opportunity to hear from experts in the field," Brendan Barret (senior-ecology and evolutionary biology) said.
This article incorrectly states Elizabeth Crisfield's position at Penn State. She is a research assistant in geography.
