Earth Day teach-in to focus on global warming threats

A group of zoology undergraduates at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will host an Earth Day Teach-In on Saturday, April 22, to inform the public about the current and future impacts of global warming.

“Almost everything we do or consume involves the use of energy, and we must do more to conserve, reuse, stop waste and conspicuous consumption,” says zoology professor James Pawley. “The university must play a leadership role in preparing Wisconsin for a more energy-efficient future.”

The “Take Back Our Future Teach-In” will take place on Earth Day — Saturday, April 22 — from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater, 800 Langdon Street. The event is free and open to the public. Ten undergraduate students in a Zoology 220 course taught by Pawley are planning the event.

Speakers from variety of academic fields will address issues related to global warming, including: Hugh Iltis, emeritus professor of botany; Jon Foley, professor of atmospheric and space sciences; David Mladenoff, professor of forestry ecology and management; Jon Patz, professor of atmospheric and space sciences and population health sciences; John Magnuson, emeritus professor of zoology and limnology; and Dan Anderson, professor of business.

“Global warming isn’t perceived as newsworthy event-it’s too slow-moving to be considered news,” says David Labedz, a freshman intending to major in English. “Our teach-in will show the magnitude of global warming and how it applies to everybody. I want the audience to use information and solutions offered at this event to help solve the problem.”