Winona State University 2014-15 Teach-In
The Anthropocene Teach-In is a two-week event where faculty across the university are encouraged to engage in discipline-specific conversations with their students about climate change. A set of 5-10 minute videos of local experts talking about sustainable futures topics, on both the global and the local level, are included below along with accompanying resource lists.
Welcome to the Anthropocene
The central meaning of the Anthropocene* is that human beings are now the most powerful geological force on the planet. Basic resources like clean water and clean air are being compromised by pollution; farming is being threatened by climate change and soil degradation; fisheries are collapsing and mineral resources are growing increasingly scarce due to rapid depletion. Cities are being challenged by rising seas, heat waves, drought and more violent storms. As a result, human impact on planetary conditions will soon be great enough to threaten the survival of modern civilization. In the coming decades, industry, commerce, education and government will have to acknowledge this threat and reorient their operations to mitigate its effects. Today's students should form their educational and career goals with this future in mind.
According to Welcome to the Anthropocene, a growing number of scientists now say we are living in a new geological epoch — the Anthropocene. We're changing Earth's life support system.
Click on this movie to take a 3-minute journey through the last 250 years from the start of the Industrial Revolution to today. This film opened the UN's Rio+20 Summit, the largest event in the UN's history.
[* Steffen et al, The Anthropocene: Are Humans Now Overwhelming the Great Forces of Nature?, Ambio, Vol. 36, No. 8, Dec. 2007]
Specifics
- Dates for the WSU 2014-15 Teach-In are:
- Fall Pilot: Oct. 27 – Nov.7
- Spring Teach-In: Feb. 23 – Mar. 6
- Climate Change and Energy Background Information
- Sample Assignments
- Presenters
- Video Descriptions and Resources
- Video Playlist
Climate Change and Energy Background Information
Toby Dogwiler, Professor of Geoscience, has authored two videos presenting background information about the science of climate change:
- Overview of Global Warming Evidence is a 6 minute long video in the playlist that introduces the viewer to the kind of data that shows global warming is a scientific certainty.
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Understanding Global Climate Change is a longer video (~33 mins)
that goes through the evidence, science, and consensus on climate change.
This video is for faculty or students who want a more in-depth primer on the subject.
(This link is directly to the movie and will open in a separate window.)
Sample Classes
Presenters and Titles
- Jim Armstrong, We're Not Leaving
- Bruno Borsari, The Case for Developing Sustainable Food Systems
- Mike Delong, Impacts of Climate Change on Rivers
- Sandy Dietz, Perspective of a Local Farmer
- Toby Dogwiler,Overview of Global Warming Evidence
- Toby Dogwiler, Early and Current Debates about Climate Change
- Jeanne Franz, Energy
- Tex Hawkins, Climate Weirding: A Watershed Moment
- Lizzy Haywood, How climate change is affecting the food supplies for food coops
- Chris Meyer, Community Solar and Renewable Energy in Southeastern Minnesota
- Nancy Reynolds, Climate Change and Trees
Video Descriptions and Resources
| Presenter | Synopsis of video | Suggested Resources |
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Title: We're Not Leaving Why is it so hard for humans to grasp the concepts of climate change? Professor Armstrong explains how our 17th century roots get in the way of our understanding of when we live, where we live, and with whom we live. What you can do: Know we've only just begun to discover what sustains us and, thus, we can change things! [Duration: 11:32] |
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Title: The Case for Developing Sustainable Food Systems Climate change is having major implications on food security. For this reason, food production systems should become more resilient to be able to cope with more unpredictable weather patterns. Professor Borsari explains why biodiversity conservation (above and below the soil) is the sustainable approach to food production and recommends that we work to make agriculture a regenerative enterprise, rather than another segment of our global, extractive economy. What you can do: Talk with others about food sources and support efforts to increase the level of diversity of food grown. [Duration: 09:29] |
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Title: Impacts of Climate Change on Rivers The flow of water in our rivers has a huge influence on the biology of the river systems. As we are experiencing changes in global climate, we are seeing increased variability in local temperature and precipitation. This leads directly to greater variability in the flow of rivers. Professor Delong talks about recent changes in the flow of the Upper Mississippi River and about what we might expect in the future. What you can do: We all need to rethink how we use water - both as an energy resource and as individuals. [Duration: 13:34] |
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Title: Perspective of a Local Farmer Climate change can be seen locally in changing weather patterns. Ms. Dietz talks about the effects of these changes on the crops she and her family grow in southeast Minnesota. She also discusses the importance of knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown. What you can do: Support companies that produce food in a sustainable manner. [Duration: 05:05] |
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Title: Overview of Global Warming Evidence Professor Dogwiler presents an overview of some of the data that has led to the scientific conclusion that our planet is experiencing global warming. What you can do: Visit the resource links to view the data directly. [Duration: 05:54] |
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Title: Early and Current Debates about Climate Change 20 years ago the scientific community was in a heated debate about climate change - was it real; what were some causes; what would be the effects? Through debate and data analysis over these 20 years, scientists have come to understand that, yes, climate change is real. The current debates are about questions like: how fast are changes going to occur? how will precipitation patterns change? and what kinds of local changes will occur? What you can do: Support policies that invest in long-term solutions to our infrastructure that take climate change into effect. [Duration: 07:56] |
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Title: Energy This video has two parts: the first part is about how the first and second laws of thermodynamics come in to play with energy use and efficiency. This provides a background for the second part about energy conservation and renewable energy. In the renewable energy section, Prof. Franz answers the question, "Why aren’t we going to be at 100% renewables by 2018 as Al Gore envisioned? What's the hold up?" We are all well aware of the benefits of renewable energy and how it can start to counteract the effects of climate change. This video explains some of the barriers to full implementation. What you can do: Conserve energy and eat low on the food chain. [Duration: 18:09] |
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Title:Climate Weirding: A Watershed Moment Taking a precautionary approach when projects interact with our natural habitat and watersheds is a good strategy. Such an approach decreases our chances of doing unintended harm, and increases our chances of developing comprehensive strategies for watershed conservation. What you can do: Get outside, have fun, and learn directly from nature! [Duration: 07:33] |
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Title: How climate change is affecting the food supplies for food coops Food co-ops bring people together to share good food and create healthy communities. There are several ways that climate change is affecting grocery stores who work directly with farmers. For example, draught has caused relocation of farmers who raise grass-fed beef and ultimately the costs of the product are increased for consumers. As consumers increasing choose organic foods, finding available land to grow the foods is becoming a problem. What you can do: Go to a farmers market or natural foods store. [Duration: 08:24] |
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Title:Community Solar and Renewable Energy in Southeastern Minnesota Chris Meyer and her husband Paul Schollmeier have retrofitted their Winona home over the past 20 years to create a working model for carbon neutral, energy efficient, conservation-minded and solar-powered lifestyles. They are now working together on a pilot project called "Power Up Winona" to create a collaborative community solar installation for Winona residents. What you can do: Practice energy conservation, advocate for sound policies on renewables, and take advantage of new standards and incentives to promote a clean energy future. [Duration: 07:57] |
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Title: Climate Change and Trees Ms. Reynolds presents the multiple benefits that trees provide and discusses the diversity of threats that trees and forests face in their race to survive urbanization, invasive pests or disease, and climate extremes. WSU's commitment to more natural landscaping, annual Arbor Day Celebration, and establishment of a Campus Arboretum and Land Stewardship Program provide educational vehicles to encourage tree conservation, as well as proper planting and irrigation methods. What you can do: Learn about trees, plant trees, and share your knowledge and enthusiasm about trees with others, particularly younger people. [Duration: 07:02] |
