Earth Day 2013

Deliberative Democracy Discussion I - Climate Change and  Energy Policies
A student-facilitated, roundtable discussion evaluating Climate change and US energy policy. This session is part of an ongoing CCE project training students to talke part in deliberative discussions in the community and enhance their civic literacy. Led by CCE LI Alliance Peace Fellows.

Deliberative Democracy Discussion II - Climate Change and  Energy Policies
A student-facilitated, roundtable discussion evaluating Climate change and US energy policy. This session is part of an ongoing CCE project training students to talke part in deliberative discussions in the community and enhance their civic literacy. Led by CCE LI Alliance Peace Fellows.

Are YOU Responsible for the Earth's Well-Being?
If everyone in the world had the lifestyle of the average American, we would need 6.35 Earths in order to be able to produce all the goods and absorb all the waste. What is our responsibility for U.S. over-consumption and the ecological consequences thereof? How does it tie to our culture(s), and what ethical and moral issues are connected to this? These and other issues will be discussed in this roundtable session.

Organizer: Dr. Kari Jensen, Assistant Professor of Global Studies and Geography, and her Honors students of Cultural Geography

25 Years of the Montreal Protocol and Lessons for Climate Change Policy
 Twenty-five years ago, an international agreement, called the Montreal Protocol, was reached to reduce the use of ozone depleting chemicals in order to protect the layer of the atmosphere that prevents harmful solar radiation from reaching the planet.  The Protocol is often discussed as a model that we can use for international climate change policy.  To date, there are no truly effective international policies that protect our planet from the impact of greenhouse gases that are responsible for global climate change.  This panel will discuss the Montreal Protocol and address the current issues associated with global climate change science and policy.

Organizer and Moderator:
Robert Brinkmann, Director of Sustainability Studies, Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Moderator and Organizer

Panelists:
J. Brett Bennington, Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability
Jane Miner, President, Students for a Greener Hofstra
Rosanna Perotti, Chair, Department of Political Science
Kathleen Wallace, Chair, Department of Philosophy

100% Renewable Energy for Long Island
Imagine Long Island being completely energy independent without increasing its carbon footprint. In this presentation, Gordian Raacke, the Founder and Executive Director of RELI - Renewable Energy for Long Island, will explain how it can be done. RELI is a member-supported organization working to protect Long Island’s environment, economy and public health.  Mr Raacke is a highly respected consultant and commentator on energy issues, to the media and government bodies.
He lives in East Hampton in a home powered by 100% renewable energy.

Panel: Organized by Professor Marty Melkonian

Documentary Perspectives: Moving Pictures, Moving People
We Women Warriors
Three indigenous women caught in the crossfire of Colombia’s internal conflict use non-violent resistance to defend their people and territory. In Colombia, there are 102 indigenous groups, some of which are facing extinction due to the constant encroachment into their lands by extractive industries and the armed groups that accompany them. This documentary tells the story of the generational struggle for the defense of cultural survival and sustainable development.

Special Guest Speaker: Independent Filmmaker Nicole Karsin, director, We Women Warriors

A Special Earth Day Celebration Event
The Marvelous Water Molecule: What You Need to Know
The water molecule is the most abundant molecule in and on the Earth, is essential for life as we know it, and makes earth the blue planet.  Hurricane Sandy reminded all of us of the power and impact of fresh and salt water on our daily lives.  If not for the unique properties of the water molecule, flowing water would not exist on earth – water would exist only in its gaseous phase.  Dr. Fanelli will help us understand the matchless properties of the marvelous water molecule and the critical need to preserve and protect our water resources: ponds, lakes, rivers, oceans, and glaciers.

Dr. Sean Fanelli
Acting Dean, School of Education; Director, Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies, School of Education, 
Hofstra University