04/01/2007: "Forum Scheduled On Global Warming"

Spring Street International School (SSIS) and Navigating Our Future, will co-sponsor a Community Forum April 15th, featuring two experts on climate change. Scientist Dr. Richard Gammon from U of W, who worked on the International Panel on Climate Change study, will explain the findings of the study, and answer questions from the audience. Dr. Yoram Bauman was the lead economist of a study on the potential social and economic impact of climate change on Washington, and he will also answer questions following his talk.

According to Larry Greene, one of the organizers of the forum, the focus of the forum is to “engage the citizens of our community in dialog about what we can do about global warming in our community....and more specifically what makes the most economic sense....because many of the actions required to meet the global warming challenge can, in fact, have many other benefits--economic and health-related.”

When asked if both sides of the issue would be presented, Mr. Greene responded in an email that “we felt that instead of debating whether or not global warming was happening or to what degree it caused by humans....which would only end in the kind of disagreements where little is learned, we would, instead, seek common ground in our community by focusing on exploring our future alternatives.” But, he added, that “Those people in the community who do not believe that global warming is real or that humans have no ability to mitigate its effects, will probably not be interested in attending the forum. But we welcome the full range of opinions and views on what we can do about it. This is where we believe there is value in having serious conversations in our community…This is where we welcome ALL sides into the conversation.”

The full program will include lectures, group discussions with question and answer periods, reports of group findings and a final discussion period at the end of the forum. Limited seats are available for interested community members. The forum will be held at the SJ Community Theatre, 12 Noon- 5:00PM, Sunday, April 15. Those interested in attending may visit www.navigatingourfuture.org to register attendance or contact Larry Greene at 378-3123.
Admission is free but space is limited to 200 attendees. Donations are welcome as both groups are 501 c 3 organizations.