Tech To Take Part In Focus The Nation

On Jan. 31, Virginia Tech will be part of more than 1,550 institutions in the U.S. participating in Focus The Nation, an initiative on global warming solutions.  The Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech hosts the events on campus.

The program has four key components: the 2% Solution, National Teach-In, Choose Your Future, and Green Democracy.  The 2% Solution is a live webcast on Jan. The webcast will kick off Focus Nation at campuses around the nation. Actor Edward Norton will be one of four guests speaking on the webcast. Members of the community can view the webcast in Torgersen 3100 at 8 p.m.

Throughout Thursday, a multitude of events centered on global warming will occur on campus for the Teach-In. Several speakers will discuss oil, global warming, and energy efficiency in Squires Haymarket Theatre from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Workshops and information booths will set up on the Drillfield.

In the evening, there will be a discussion on global warming in Burruss Hall. Representatives from Piedmont Environmental Council of Virginia, Blacksburg Town Council, Appalachian Power, Dominion Power, and the Environmental Coalition will participate on the panel. Event organizers urge students to have local and statewide politicians participate in the panel for Green Democracy.

Focus the Nation will wrap up the evening with a closing ceremony in Burruss with performances by Juxtaposition and Groova Space.

Lastly, Choose Your Future is an online vote for communities to decide what environmental actions they want their government to pursue. People can vote for up to 5 issues at www.focusthenation.org.