Gore visit inspires eco-related events on campus and downtown

Gore visit inspires eco-related events on campus and downtownSeptember 14, 2006Patrick Farrellpmfarrel@syr.edu

A series of events, inspired by former Vice President Al Gore’s upcoming Landmark Theatre lecture, are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14, and Friday, Sept. 15. The events are designed to raise awareness about global warming and to actively engage the Syracuse community in thinking about ways to reduce the causes of this problem.

Gore will speak Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in an event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Syracuse University Student Association. His Syracuse appearance — co-sponsored by the Student Association, the University Union Speakers Board and University Lectures — is sold out.

On Sept. 14, preceding Gore’s talk on global warming, the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) will host an “Energy Fair.” The theme of the fair is what people can do to reduce the carbon footprints of their homes, reduce energy consumption, and save money. The Energy Fair will feature a host of exhibits on alternative and renewable energy, energy conservation, green building and energy education. On display will be a solar boat, an interactive demonstration on fuel cells, and a model of how air flows through a home.

The event is co-sponsored by the Global Warming Action Network (GWAN), SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Environmental Studies, the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, and the ESF and SU EnSPIRE Office of Environment and Society. The Energy Fair runs from 4-7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The MOST is located at 500 South Franklin St. in downtown Syracuse’s Armory Square. For details, see http://www.esf.edu/outreach/pd/2006/energy/default.htm.

A community-wide “Global Warming Brainstorming” event will take place on Sept. 15. Brainstorming stations will be set up at the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center, Marshall Hall on the ESF campus, The Warehouse in Armory Square and elsewhere on the SU and ESF campuses with information about energy use initiatives underway at other campuses. Participants will be encouraged to use this information to come up with energy use suggestions for the community. The event will culminate with an open discussion at 3:30 p.m. in Alumni (Nifkin) Lounge in Marshall Hall on the ESF campus on how to implement the best suggestions.

The brainstorming is open to all members of the SU and ESF communities, including students, faculty, staff and neighbors. It is sponsored by the SU Student Association, GWAN and the EnSPIRE Office of Environment and Society. To learn more or submit suggestions, go to http://enspire.syr.edu/gwbrainstorm.htm.

For more information about these events, contact Rachel May, director of the Office of Environment and Society, at 443-9726, e-mail enspire@syr.edu, or visit http://enspire.syr.edu/GWevents.htm.