Collegiate Times

Students gather outside of Burruss on the Drill field.

Students, faculty, and community members assembled Thursday evening at the Haymarket Theatre in Squires Student Center to discuss global warming issues and possible solutions for the problem as part of 'Focus the Nation.'

The panel for global warming consisted of students, faculty, administrators, business leaders, and government officials. The panel did not hesitate to recognize the dangers of global warming.

"This is one of the biggest environmental, safety, and health issues in the history of mankind," said Mary Anne Hitt, executive director of Appalachian Voices.

The evening began with a general question session, and ended with a question and answer session.

Throughout the evening the panel dispensed knowledge on how to best combat global warming. One of the most talked about ways in the fight against global warming was for people to become informed.

"There is no reason for ignorance now on this issue," said Dan Holmes, field officer for Piedmont Environmental Council of Virginia.

Others echoed these sentiments.

"You have to go out and educate yourself on these issues," said Angie De Soto, senior environmental policy and planning major.

Learning one's impact also was important in the fight against global warming.

"If you don't know anything else, you need to ask yourself, 'Where does my trash go when I dispose it and where does my water come from?'" said Jacob Sewell, assistant professor of geosciences. "That's where our biggest impact comes from,"

The panel also criticized loose consumption.

"We live in an era of conspicuous consumption, one that's pushing our planet to it's breaking point, " said Denny Cochrane, energy sustainability coordinator.

Urban sprawl was also blamed for global warming.

"We have to prevent what's occurring in Blacksburg with sprawl," said Don Lagrehr, member of the Blacksburg Town Council. "We have to promote a smart growth policy, Members of the panel were quick to call for action."

Some panel members were quick to state the need for change beyond state imposed mandates.

"We can do more, and we should do more," Holmes said. "We call ourselves the greatest country in the world, but we really should act like the greatest country in the world."

Also being called to action was the younger generation.

"You (the young people) will be the ones to solve this problem," said Timothy Mallam, manager of state environmental affairs for West Virginia Appalachian Power.

The call for youth action resonated through the panel.

"We have to speak up on these issues, "De Soto said. "It's our responsibility to fix this," The panel emphasized that the solution would not be an easy one.

"Trying to solve global warming won't be done with one solution. This issue will take everybody at the top working with cooperation from everyone to make it work," Cochrane said.