MSU students and faculty organize Climate Week on Nov. 18-22

BOZEMAN - Montana State University students and faculty are hosting the fourth-ever Climate Week from Nov. 18 to Nov. 22. Events are planned throughout the week that will involve outside organizations and experts leading a series of lectures and social events on campus. All events are free and open to the public.

Kicking off on Monday, Susan Bilo, former candidate for the Montana Public Service Commission, will discuss the role of local politics in fighting climate change, including the role of the PSC in the future of energy development and climate action in Montana. Bilo's talk will start at 5 p.m. in the Procrastinator Theater.

Wednesday will have two events, starting with a de-stressing nature meditation and yoga session in the Student Wellness Center at 4:30 p.m. Then, at 6 p.m. in Norm Asbjornson Hall, Room 165, David Carlson, former director of the World Climate Research Programme, will discuss government action on climate change and what individuals can do to promote a sustainable lifestyle.

On Thursday at 4 p.m., Cottonwood Environmental Law Center attorney John Meyer will host a fireside chat in Romney Hall, Room 007, to help visitors understand the role of the judicial system in combatting climate change. Specifically, Meyer will discuss the recent overturning of Montana House Bill 407, which paved the way for the single-use plastics ban in Bozeman.

"Climate change is creating significant threats to the Gallatin Valley and beyond," said senior environmental science student Jackson Mundell, who is president of the Campus Climate Coalition student organization. "Climate Week is aimed at promoting a solutions-based emphasis to conversations surrounding the climate crisis. The goal is to equip more people with the tools to promote social and political change."

"Faculty are excited to be partnering with students and staff to again provide learning opportunities on what many scientists consider to be the most consequential issue facing humanity," said Paul Lachapelle, professor in MSU's Department of Political Science and member of the faculty-led Climate Solutions Group, another of the groups sponsoring events.

The week's events are sponsored by several groups, including the Campus Climate Coalition and Citizens Climate Lobby Club student organizations and the Climate Solutions Group.

For more information on Climate Week including events, times, and locations, visit https://www.montana.edu/communitydevelopment/climateweek.html.