Profs Propose Solutions To Fight Global Climate Change

Professors Peter Eisenberger and Graciela Chichilnisky suggested a global thermostat to control climate instead of fighting global warming at last night's kickoff event for Earth Week, "Balancing Needs: Global Warming, Economic Development, and Energy Security."

Earth Week events are designed to bring together environmentalists from throughout the University. EarthCo and Barnard Earth, two groups that are sponsored by Community Impact, organized the speakers, and Bhakti Club provided the 75 attendants with Indian food.

Eisenberger, former director of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, stressed the importance of changing potential outcomes of global warming by sequestering carbon dioxide.

"It's going to be interesting to watch ... what temperature people want the planet to be set at. Do people want palm trees on the poles, or not?" he asked.

Chichilnisky, director of Columbia Consortium of Risk who helped write the Kyoto Protocol, which proposes a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, discussed the practical implementation of the plan.

Since the imminent problem of global warming is inevitable, she said, preventive actions must be taken.

"We have no choice," Chichilnisky said. "We have to do something about the carbon in the global atmosphere."

Eisenberger said that the key to increasing general interest in preventing global problems is dispelling the notion that all humans are "villains," and instead, harnessing the enthusiasm of acquiring new knowledge and technology.

Chichilnisky said that these projects will increase jobs internationally and unify people since everybody is affected by global warming. "Whereas poverty in Africa is an African problem, global warming is a global problem," she said. "When the level of the sea goes up, it will inundate New York City and at that point you will see a willingness to do something about it."

"It is encouraging to hear that not only is there optimism in the future, but the potential for change lies within students like us," Jonathan Berliner, CC d'09, said.

Upcoming Earth Week events include a lunchtime sustainability discussion today at noon in Lerner 568, and "The Wedge Game," in which participants can win $100 to spend at Whole Foods Market tonight at 7 p.m. in the James Room of Barnard Hall.