On January 31, 2008, the nation came together to raise awareness about
global climate change and the ways in which community members can have
a positive impact on the environment. For her Community Action Project
(CAP) Laura Milewski designed a local Focus the Nation
event at Mikey’s Gryos in Moscow to coincide with the national global
warming teach-in. Ironically enough, there was a historic snowstorm in
town that shut the entire city down for the day and the event had to be
postponed.
In late March, the event was attempted again and luckily, the weather
fully cooperated. Moscow’s Focus the Nation event included a panel
discussion by local experts that spoke on how the media, denial and
technology can sometimes be obstacles in combating climate change.
Professor Kenton Bird of the University of Idaho presented on
the media, while WSU graduate student Heather Truelove discussed
denial and UI professor Fritz Fiedler explained the role of
technology as an obstacle. A film on biodiesel titled “Revolution
Green” was screened after the panel.
The event was a true success! Attendance was great and community
members came well equipped with many interesting questions. Overall,
Focus the Nation was very well received as an opportunity for
Laura to raise awareness about climate change.
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