Feb. 22, 2010

*Smoothies pedaled at event are just tip of iceberg*

CSU Monterey Bay will hold a teach-in on Feb. 25, designed to move the debate on climate change from talk to action. This year's event looks at issues and solutions of local relevance in addressing the issue.

Activities are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center on Sixth Avenue. All are free and open to the public. Visitors may stay for the whole program, or attend only those presentations that interest them. For a complete schedule, click here. Displays will also be set up, and a complimentary lunch will be available. Parking is free.

A range of topics will be presented by faculty, staff and community members between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., highlighted by former Assemblyman John Laird speaking on "Green Jobs as Part of the Economic Recovery." Virginia Johnson of Ecology Action and Kelly O'Brien of KUSP's Life in the Fastlane are also scheduled for the morning portion of the program.

Jim Fowler will be on hand throughout the day to demonstrate his "fender blender," a bicycle-powered blender he uses to make fruit smoothies. An attachment clips to the back of a bike, and when the rear wheel turns, it spins the blender mechanism – a creative way to conserve energy.

A series of panel discussions will be held from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Most will be repeated from 2:15 to 3 p.m., allowing participants to attend two panels. They include:

• Greening CSUMB's Food Cycle: Ideas and Input****(presented at 1 and 2:15 p.m.) Tim Miller, Sodexo; Uriah Paiva, Sodexo; Tony Serrano, ALBA; Leslie Dodds, CSUMB Garden Club; facilitated by Rebecca Kersnar

• Alternative Vehicles and Fuels: A Window into the Industries****(presented at 1 and 2:15 p.m.) Charles Fishel, Abundant Biofuels; Dr. Allen Fuhs, Professor Emeritus, NPS; Lee Colin, Green Vehicles; Jason Burnett; Randy Deshazo, AMBAG; facilitated by Chris Sentieri

• Green Jobs: Education and Opportunity****(presented at 1 and 2:15 p.m.) Jo Fleming, Santa Cruz; Gary Merrill, Green Careers Partnership; Thomas Rettenwender, MPC; Deidre Sullivan, MATE/MPC; Dr. Kevin Raskoff, MPC; Dr. Bradley Barbeau, CSUMB; facilitated by Dr. Marylou Shockley, chair of CSUMB's School of Business

•****Improving Campus Culture with Bike Boulevards: Interactive Survey and Workshop****(presented at 1 and 2:15 p.m.) University Police Department; Linda Meckel, AMBAG; Transportation Agency of Monterey County; facilitated by Megan Tolbert, CSUMB transportation planner

• Zero Campus Carbon: Realizing the President's Campus Climate Commitment****(presented at 2:15 p.m.) Dan Fernandez, CSUMB; James Barsimantov, UCSC; Deborah Lindsay, Pacific Grove city council member and green community relations specialist; John Doughty, AMBAG; facilitated by Monica Galligan

This is the third year CSUMB has presented an event to address issues related to climate change. The first two were held in conjunction with Focus the Nation, an effort that saw more than a thousand colleges and universities across the country examine the issue on the same day.