Environmental Consortium Conference (Jan 24-25) through Focus the Nation (Jan 31)

Fordham University, Bronx, New York

"What we do in the next two to three years will determine our future.
This is the defining moment."

-- IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri, engineer and economist from India.
Co-Winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore

Guided by the urgency of Mr. Pachauri’s statement, Fordham is hosting a robust program of events for the Focus the Nation teach-in on Climate Change. Bringing together representatives from the University (faculty, administration, students), the Community, Government, and various scientific researchers, we will engage in a robust conversation about our global warming and the wide range of issues regarding “sustainability” that are related to climate and the environment. We live in a complex, interconnected world of nature, economics, human values, and beauty; hence we need a complex, interconnected dialogue of many voices to envision the kind of future we can bring about on all these fronts, and to decide what we have to do right now to ensure that future.

The Events:
Focus the Nation will officially begin with an open viewing of the national webcast of “The 2% Solution” in Tognino Hall of Duane Library (formerly the Great Hall). We will gather at 7:30 and view the webcast at 8:00pm, followed by open discussion.

On the 31st, a full day of presentations will begin at 8:30 in Tognino Hall and continue until 10 pm, ending with musical performances and general festivities. In the McGinley Center, the community will be able to visit our “Sustainable Marketplace of Goods and Good Ideas” which will host a number of information and sales booths as well as a recycling center where batteries, cells phones/chargers and other hand-held electronics, printer cartridges, and used sneakers may be turned in for proper disposal and regeneration. There will also be an Art and Architecture Exhibit, along with performances scattered throughout the day in the Ballroom area. Prizes will be awarded for the best art made from recycled or repurposed materials.

Days before all this, though, members of our community will begin to see the signs of our efforts, including the erecting of a Simulated Wind Farm on Edwards Parade. In addition, movies, forums, and other lead-in events will be staged. Watch for announcements!

Our Goals:
We have conceived this event as an opportunity to be seized to do three interconnected things:

1. Gather and unite the environmentally and sustainability oriented entities and individuals at our University so that with a united front and common, overlapping effort we can help evolve our institutional culture in the direction of sustainability all around.

2. Bring together environmentally and sustainability oriented entities and individuals in the NewYork area, especiallly the Bronx. The Bronx is not often thought of when people think "Green,” but many groups and institutions work tirelessly in our area to bring about a more sustainable future. Bringing them together at the Bronx's own Fordham campus seems like an opportunity not to be missed at this moment in history. We hope that this will converge with the "Institutional Sustainability" initiative of our FTN, so that we can be a focal point for Bronx environmental/climate/sustainability action.

3. Educate and galvanize our student body and general community for civic action in the direction of a sustainable future. Concern for climate and the environment is not only for those who call themselves “environmentalists” anymore–this concern encompasses economics, social justice issues, urban planning, career development, family life, and more. These concerns–these values–matter to all of us, and all voices and energies are important in our working towards the future.

Reminder: events occurring in Tognino Hall on thursday can be streamed live over the internet from anywhere via Windows Media Player here. This is currently where our Windmills are streaming!