From MSU News Service
Montana State University students and faculty will host their fourth consecutive Climate Week from April 21st to 24th on the MSU campus, with a series of events including lectures, discussions and social events focused on climate change and solutions for a warming world.
“Climate change is creating significant threats to the Gallatin Valley and beyond,” said Jackson Mundell, a senior majoring in environmental science and one of the week’s organizers. “Climate Week is aimed at promoting a solutions-based emphasis to conversations surrounding the climate crisis.”
Events begin Monday, April 21st, in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson Hall, Room 165, at 6:30pm with David Carlson, oceanographer and former director of the World Climate Research Programme, who will discuss key indicators of the health of the planet and the roles citizens and scientists play in addressing climate change, with a focus on future challenges and opportunities.
Events continue Tuesday, April 22nd, at 4pm in Reynolds Recital Hall with a performance celebrating the 55th anniversary of Earth Day. The ensemble 406 Winds and other faculty and student groups from the MSU School of Music will perform an Earth-focused concert, with some pieces composed specially for this event, along with visuals and poetry reading.
Following the performance at 5:30pm, the Citizens Climate Lobby Club will host the Montana Climate Forum for an online discussion. Panelists, including representatives from the Northern Plains Resource Council, Happy Trash Can and students from the University of Montana Western, will present their sustainable action plans and discuss climate action initiatives.
The Climate Carnival will begin at 3pm Wednesday, April 23rd, in the Strand Union Building ballrooms, showcasing statewide efforts in climate action with guest booths, games, snacks and speakers. Heather White, author of “60 Days to a Greener Life: Ease Eco-Anxiety Through Joyful Daily Action” and “One Green Thing: Discover Your Hidden Power to Help Save the Planet,” will discuss eco-anxiety. Other speakers will cover such topics as energy conservation, solar energy jobs, Yellowstone bison management, and creating and sustaining grassroots groups. A full list of speakers is available HERE.
Climate Week concludes Thursday, April 24th. On that day, more than 40 students will present climate-based research at MSU’s annual Student Research Celebration, which will begin at 10am in the SUB ballrooms. A Pizza and Politics panel, hosted in collaboration with the Burton K. Wheeler Center, will be held from 6 to 7:30pm in Asbjornson Hall, Room 137. Panelists include MSU Regents Professor Emerita Cathy Whitlock, Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown, author Heather White and Evan Romasco-Kelly of Gallatin Valley Sunrise, who will discuss contemporary issues related to climate change in Montana.
Throughout the week, the MSU Library will display various books on climate-related topics in its second-floor lobby.
According to Paul Lachapelle, professor in MSU’s Department of Political Science and member of the faculty-led Climate Solutions Group, “Faculty are excited to be partnering with students and staff to again provide learning opportunities on what many scientists consider to be the most consequential issue facing humanity.”
The events are sponsored by the Campus Climate Coalition and Climate Solutions Group. All events are free and open to the public. A detailed schedule is online HERE. •
