Focus the Nation Oswego

This year's national Focus the Nation effort is directed at influencing the new presidential administration and new Congress during their first 100 days. At Oswego, we are planning 100 days of involvement activities and events, including town halls, tree plantings, lobbying efforts, films, and other events. If you have any questions, contact us at heidleba@oswego.edu or at rdunn@oswego.edu.

Some Highlights:

February 7, 10am. Rice Creek Field Station: First-ever "Student Town Hall on a Sustainable Campus." Students who are working on such diverse projects as lighting in the residence halls, composting, wind power, reducing paper use, and reducing dining hall waste came together with interested staff and faculty to plan for an energy-responsible future. We look forward to further networking, expanding our numbers, and moving forward on projects. Hosted by the Climate Academic Steering Committee

February 11, 6pm. 107 Lanigan: Film: "The End of Suburbia." This film portrays the American way of life and the high consumption of fossil fuels it requires. The film connects into the current ORI book selection Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert. Sponsored by the Oswego Reading Initiative (ORI).

February 26, 1pm - 3pm. Campus Center 206: Webcast: "Three Simple Steps to a Carbon Neutrality Plan." Anyone interested in the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and Oswego's Climate Action Plan for achieving carbon neutrality will learn more through this webcast.

February 27-March 2: Powershift 2009: A group of SUNY-Oswego students will join college students from across the country in Washington, D.C. for four days of education and action to achieve federal climate action.

March 16, 9:00am-3:00pm. Campus Center Upper Concourse: Poster exhibit, "Visions of Green."  Graphic Arts Professor Amy Bartell's students will exhibit works resulting from their research into global warming and the environmental challenges of the twenty-first century.

March 17th, 7pm. Hewitt Union Ballroom: Speaker: Elizabeth Kolbert, author of the ORI 2008-2009 book selection, Field Notes From a Catastrophe. In her book, Kolbert reports dramatic evidence of the impact of global climate change. Sponsored by ORI.

March 26th, 6:30pm. Sheldon Ballroom: Town Hall: "Our Community's Energy Future." Oswego area citizens and members of the college community will meet with state and local officials to find tangible ways of securing Oswego's energy future while acting responsibly in the face of global climate change. Our speaker will be Bob Bechtold, founder and President of Harbec Plastics, a central New York company being powered through alternative energy sources.