March 29, 2011 - 8:17pm
Student activists, lawmakers discuss climate change
BY BETHANY BIRON
The University’s chapter of College Democrats held a convention on Saturday that featured a panel of student activists who attended the Copenhagen Climate Summit, state and local lawmakers and Peter Sinclair of Al Gore’s “The Climate Project.”
The conference, called “From Copenhagen to Ann Arbor: Charting Michigan’s Green Future,” started with a welcome from Debbie Dingell, wife of Congressman John Dingell (D–Michigan).
Debbie Dingell said she was disappointed with the results of December’s Copenhagen Conference, as it failed to yield lasting legislation regarding climate change, especially in the state of Michigan.
Debbie Dingell also said it’s important that Michiganders protect the state’s abundant natural resources.
“The fact of the matter is we live in Michigan,” Dingell said. “Our natural resources are some of the most treasured resources in the world. Look at the Great Lakes — I think everybody in this state agrees that we need to protect our Great Lakes.”
The conference continued with a discussion by a panel of students who attended the Copenhagen Climate Summit, including Michigan State University alumna Sarah Mullkoff, University of Michigan alumnus Chris Detjen and Ayodele Akinpelu, a junior at Wayne State University.
Though the results of the conference were not necessarily what they hoped for, the panelists said the talks in Copenhagen still worked to progress the discussion on the future of environmental protection.
The convention reconvened for a panel discussion with several policy- and lawmakers composed of State Rep. Rebekah Warren (D–Ann Arbor), Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje, Washtenaw Country Commisioner Conan Smith and Leslie Garrison. Great Lakes Regional Manager at Bluewater Wind Company.
Each panelist discussed their current environmental initiatives and why environmental affairs are important in the state of Michigan.
“We are doing our very best to keep moving forward on these environmental issues that we believe are critical and core to what our city’s about,” Hieftje said.
Sinclair ended the convention with a talk on his program, “Climate Denial Crock of the Week,” which dissects various lies and bias in scientific reporting.
Attendees partook in other environmental workshops throughout the day including discussions on issues like public transit and environmental justice.
