Climate Teach-In

April 6
ASU Hosts World-Wide Teach-In on Climate and Justice at Hardy Student Center

 

By Kenneth Mullinax/ASU

 

In the midst of scholarly discussions about increased storms, rain, draught and other weather anomalies, Alabama State University is weighing in on the debate with the second annual “World Wide Teach-In on Climate and Justice,” which will take place on Thursday, April 6 in the John Garrick Hardy Student Center Ballroom from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The event is sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Science's Sustainability Committee and is free and open to the public.

The coordinator of the discussion is Dr. Alecia D. Hoffman. She explained that ASU’s event is one among approximately 200 teach-ins across the globe during the same weeklong period. 

 

"This is an important event to bring local awareness to a global issue that has ramifications here in Montgomery, the Black-Belt, statewide and beyond," said Hoffman, an associate professor of Political Science. "The recent rash of tornadoes in our area alone, from the killer storms of early January to over 11 that happened statewide in the last week, is unprecedented in recent history, and it makes many pause to contemplate that perhaps these weather events have a lot to do with climate-related issues. Those questions and more will be part of the educational process at the University's teach-in on April 6."

 

The panel-style conference was first held last year and received praise for its relevant topics and scholarly insight. Hoffman emphasized that organizing the event has been a team effort by a committee composed of ASU faculty members: Dr. Marcia Rossi, Dr. Tabitha Brookins, Dr. Balla Keita, Dr. B.K. Robertson, Dr. Sabita Saldanha and Dr. Derryn Moten, chairman of the department of History and Political Science.

 

EVENT PROMOTES COMMUNIVERSITY

 

Hoffman said that while the event will explore the global issues and possible solutions related to climate control, the ASU panel of professors also will aim to focus on local climate concerns. 

 

"We feel it is important to hone in to what we can do here at home to make things better, and home is a good place to start on any issue. Our focus will include how we, as members of the ASU family, as well as local residents, can mitigate the effects of climate change starting here at home, and then incorporate our local solutions so  that they ripple statewide, then nationally and ultimately globally," Hoffman emphasized.

 

The Political Science professor shared that the panel discussion is part of a United Nation's effort that has a goal to make significant climate changes by 2030, so that deadly climate anomalies can be mitigated and one day, reversed.

 

"These climate issues are affecting all of the eight billion people who reside on the Earth in a negative way that is escalating in its severity. Our goal is to educate and motivate those who attend our discussion so we may all work together and make a difference," stated Hoffman.

 

For more information on the event: Dr. Alecia D. Hoffman at ahoffman@alasu.edu or Dr. B.K. Robertson at brobertson@alasu.edu

 

News media contact: Kenneth Mullinax, 334-229-4104.

 

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