The cost of ignoring global warming was a common theme at “Focus the Nation” events on campus. At the Policy Responses Panel, which was moderated by Professor of Economics and Nobel laureate Gary Yohe, Connecticut State Representative Jim O’Rourke spoke about the benefits that would come with action. “With the world’s largest economy here in America, we have the most to lose by not getting on this and creating this green energy economy,” O’Rourke said. “We also have the most to gain by doing this, through tremendous opportunities for new jobs.”

Seeking sustainability: University joins Focus the Nation efforts
Wesleyan Argus | 2-1-08

George Washington University. On Paddock’s campus, residents of the “Green GW House” are giving tours of their two-level townhouse. They are showing off low-flow shower heads and organic foods, talking about using tote bags to shop and a car-sharing service to get around the city. The house residents, considered by the university a living and learning cohort, have pledged to use bicycles for trips within a two-mile radius of campus. Everything is done to minimize energy and water usage, and reduce waste production. Roommates have a $500 project budget.

Four Campuses, Much Green Talk
Inside Higher Ed | 2-1-08

"Do you want an Undriver License?" The question seemed to come out of nowhere as I walked into the ballroom. It was posed by a small group of people in matching button-down shirts, some of whom were taking DMV-style photos while others helped students fill out forms on clipboards. "An Undriver License is when you voluntarily choose to drive less ... it's a fun way to get people out of their cars and try something new," explained Craig Benjamin, a UW grad student and member of Sustainable Ballard, the organization issuing the licenses. Applicants were asked to fill out a form pledging to reduce their driving -- by taking the bus to work or carpooling to the grocery on weekends.

Undriving Miss Daisy
Grist | 2-1-08

"They get that global warming is bad and is real," [Eban] Goodstein said, taking a short break from the frenzy of activity leading up to the big event. "But they don't realize how short the window for action is if we're going to have a substantive impact. […] Many, many people on campuses are sick of hearing that the world is coming to an end. They want to hear about solutions, and they want to hear from their political leaders," Goodstein said.

Campuses focus on climate change
The Philadelphia Inquirer | 1-31-08

At the University of Rhode Island, students placed 300-pound blocks of ice around their campus and let them melt to symbolize how global warming is affecting polar ice caps. At Missouri State University, students will pile 20 tons of coal on campus to show how much of this air-polluting fossil fuel is needed to power their school for an hour. At UCSD, young conservationists are preparing a performance-art show that will feature a faux polar bear in an 8-foot-tall “electric” chair. It's a creative riff on the theme of climate change harming the bears.

Putting the focus on global warming
San Diego Union Tribune | 1-30-08