On January 31st, universities and schools across the nation will be conducting the largest teach-in ever attempted in US history. The event is Focus the Nation.  Focus the Nation is “a day of focused discussion about global warming solutions.”

This attempt at connectedness is important in a country that is as disconnected as you can get.  Even in my own community, I could not identify all the organizations and businesses that are making efforts toward sustainability and reducing global warming.  The events on Thursday may help solve some of that problem when local organizations, educators, and legislators sit down together to listen and learn about climate change. 

My hope is that this event doesn’t become another exercise in academia, where we all listen and nod our heads and then walk away only to be swept up in the business of life.  My hope is that instead, real connections are made and we, as communities, come out of this with plans and goals in hand.   

What can you do?  First, if at all possible, attend one of the Focus the Nation events in your area.  Some events are including family friendly activities.  Others will have on hand climate researchers, explorers, and other experts to speak of their first hand experiences with climate change.  Second, get connected in your community.  Climate change is a cause that needs a face.  Unless we begin to connect and work together in our communities, climate change will be just another item on the evening news.  And by the time we see that the face being effected by climate change is ours, it may be too late.  So, let’s focus nationally and connect locally.