CSUMB hosts climate change teach-in.

Obama Juice: “The only sector of the economy that’s growing right now is the green economy,” says former assemblyman John Laird, who hopes President Obama’s federal stimulus package will jump-start California’s sustainable industries. Jane Morba

CSUMB hosts climate change teach-in.

By Kera Abraham

Thursday, January 29, 2009

On Feb. 5, CSU-Monterey Bay invites the community to check out a green dorm room, munch organic food and discuss topics ranging from gluttony to biofuels. For the university’s second annual global warming teach-in, the day-long program examines the connections between agriculture, fuel and public policy.

“What’s going on in the environment is going to affect the food we eat, how we get from place to place, and the world’s economy,” says organizer Dan Fernandez, a CSUMB physics professor. “Events like this open people’s eyes to what’s going on and provide a breeding ground for ideas.”

The morning lineup includes Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue discussing bioenergy, Pacific Grove Mayor Dan Cort on worst-case planning, and former assemblyman Fred Keeley on sustainable water policy.

An afternoon panel views sustainability from the perspectives of local mayors: Carmel’s Sue McCloud, Marina’s Bruce Delgado, Monterey’s Chuck Della Sala and Seaside’s Ralph Rubio.

Former assemblyman John Laird will focus on the proposed $825 billion federal stimulus package.

“President Obama– I can never get tired of saying that– has the goal of using a transition to a green economy to stimulate the economy,” he says. “It’s clear that’s going to be a part of the stimulus package, but it’s unclear exactly how they’re going to do it.”

Hundreds of colleges across the nation will put their own spins on the event, organized by the National Teach-In, a project of the nonprofit Education for Global Warming Solutions.