BEMIDJI, Minn. – On Thursday, Jan. 31, Bemidji State University will join more than 1,000 colleges and universities in all 50 states for Focus the Nation, an unprecedented educational initiative on global warming solutions. Intended as the largest teach-in in U.S. history, Focus the Nation is preparing one million students to become leaders in the largest civilizational challenge faced by any generation.

All university and community members are welcome to attend the events associated with Focus the Nation. As part of the teach-in component, faculty are being encouraged to relate their course material for the day to the topic of climate change to the degree possible.

Highlighting the event will be a legislator forum on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in Hagg-Sauer 100. The forum will feature State Representatives Frank Moe-DFL and Brita Sailor-DFL, State Senator Mary Olson, Melissa Samuelson, who is a field representative of State Senator James Oberstar, and Bemidji city councilman Onen Markeson.

Schedule of events at Bemidji State:

Wednesday, Jan. 30
7-8 p.m.: Focus the Nation webcast, “The Two Percent Solution,” 7-8 p.m., Hagg-Sauer 100. Features Stanford University climateologist Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins and green jobs pioneer Van Jones along with youth climate leaders. Audiences can weigh in with cell-phone voting.

Thursday, Jan. 31
All day – persons encouraged to walk or use bicycles or carpools to reach campus.
All day – Art show, “Global Warming: An American Perspective”by visiting artist: Mark Abrahamson. Talley Gallery.
noon-1:30 p.m. – Movie, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” Ed-Arts 115.
noon-1:30 p.m. – Movie, “An Inconvenient Truth,” Hagg-Sauer 100.
2:00 – 3:15 p.m. – Minnesota Legislator Forum, Hagg-Sauer 100.
3:20 – 3:55 p.m. – Presentation: “Hot Topic: Current Scientific Trends,” Jason Dahl, professor of geology, Hagg Sauer-100.
4:00 – 4:45 p.m. – Presentation: “Political Climate on Global Warming,” Paul Kivi, professor of economics and environmental policy and Anna Carlson, graduate student in policy and planning, Hagg-Sauer 100.
5:00 – 5:45 p.m. – Presentation: “What You Can Do,” Charles Krysel, forester with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Crystal Middendorf, Students for the Environment at BSU, Hagg-Sauer 100.
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. – Movie, “The Day After Tomorrow,” Ed-Arts 115

For further information on Focus the Nation, visit its Web site at http://www.focusthenation.org.