The Sunnyvale Sun
Community
De Anza hosts teach-in on climate change
By Heather Zimmerman
In schools, small class sizes are often touted as best. But for one day, one particular "class" will be in session all across the country, and the greater the attendance in this class, the better.
On Jan. 31, more than 1,600 high school and college campuses and other organizations nationwide will take part in Focus the Nation, a teach-in targeting climate change. De Anza College will be among the Bay Area institutions and community groups participating in Focus the Nation. De Anza is offering discussions, performances and workshops from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the campus, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino.
De Anza's Institute of Community and Civic Engagement is a major sponsor of the event, along with the Academic Senate, Department of Environmental Studies, Office of Outreach and Relations with Schools, the Office of the President and student clubs, such as the environmental club, wise37.
Cynthia Kaufman, an instructor who heads De Anza's Philosophy Department, is De Anza's coordinator for Focus the Nation. She has been planning the event with a faculty committee and students since last spring.
"De Anza is participating in Focus the Nation because this is going to be a really historic event," Kaufman says. "Because so many colleges and universities are doing this, we're hoping it's really going to change the national conversation on climate, and make it so that we can burst through the apathy that we've had in this country around climate change."
At least 30 instructors and their classes are expected to attend the event. However, although many Focus the Nation events are taking place at schools, the day is not aimed at solely at students. Members of the community are encouraged to attend.
De Anza's activities include "The Science and Politics of Climate Change," a panel discussion with faculty members at 9:30 a.m. "It will have some information on the science, both on a global perspective and a local perspective," Kaufman says, "and then it will look at what solutions should be happening on a national scale, international scale and locally. And we'll also be talking about what people as individuals can do can do and how people can get involved with organizations."
Performances beginning at 11:30 a.m. will feature spoken-word artists and screenings of short video documentaries that explore various aspects of climate change, and how its effects are already being felt.
Participants can learn about what environmental policies are being implemented on local and state levels during the Regional Policymakers Conversation at 12:30 p.m. De Anza president Brian Murphy, Cupertino Mayor Dolly Sandoval and student leaders are scheduled to speak. There are plans for U.S. Representative Mike Honda to appear via video link, or otherwise be represented at the panel by a member of his staff.
The day concludes with a workshop at 1:30 p.m. that will emphasize how individuals can tackle climate change. Students will facilitate the workshop. "We're going to break the audience into small groups of 10 and talk to them about things they can do to make a difference," Kaufman says, "and train people as organizers to take action around climate change."
As an institution, De Anza itself is already setting an example for those who are interested in going green. The college's Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies garnered a green building design award. The college's campus center uses biodegradable paper products and serves locally sourced organic produce options. Even campus landscaping consists of drought-tolerant plants and is free from pesticides.
For those unable to attend the Jan. 31 event, Focus the Nation will host a webcast Jan. 30, 5 p.m. on its website, at www.focusthenation.org.
For more information, visit www.deanza.edu or www.focusthenation.org.