Madison class provides input to Greenhouse Gas Accord
FAYETTE, Iowa (February 2, 2009) -Global Warming & Climate change is an Upper Iowa University elective taught by Alan Capelle, Madison Center coordinator, who recently assigned his students the task to actively participate in the Midwest Governors' Greenhouse Gas Accord public forum.
The original accord was signed Nov. 15, 2007 at the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA) Energy Security and Climate Change Summit in Milwaukee as a regional strategy to achieve energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. Ten Midwestern leaders, including governors Jim Doyle (WI), Tim Pawlenty (MN), and Chet Culver (IA) signed the agreement.
However, one year later, the issue was revisited when public comment was desired from the Wisconsin Governor's Office by means of an online public comment section on the Accord website. Capelle saw this as an opportunity for his class of 41 students to get some exposure to a 'real world' process.
"The class was required to download the lengthy Accord document, review it, and submit a detailed critique of the document to the classroom for discussion before participating in the forum," said Capelle. "We also worked with CLEAN WISCONSIN, a major environmental organization in our state, for overall advice and guidance, although our comments were made independent of this organization."
According to Capelle, a representative on the Greenhouse Gas Accord Committee from CLEAN WISCONSIN indicated that the students' input would be seriously considered as they work toward refining the final version of the Accord. The UIU-Madison class was complimented on its contribution to this public comment period and thanked for the "valuable" input.
"Based on student reaction, this was an exciting and worthwhile opportunity for them to contribute to a very important mechanism to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming," said Capelle. He also expressed hope that President Obama will eventually craft a federal cap and trade system for all states to follow with specific emissions targets and dates in the near future.
If you have questions about this project, please contact Capelle at capellea@uiu.edu or 608-278-0350. To review or download a copy of the accord, go to the MGA website at www.midwesterngovernors.org.
Contact:
Sheila Miller
Director of Public Relations
Work - 563-425-5326
Cell - 319-610-7108
Fax - 563-425-5701
millers@uiu.edu
www.uiu.edu