Will Steger Foundation is teaming up with Sierra Club and cultural groups from the University of Minnesota to host a discussion focused on cultural, health, and policy perspectives on clean air on February 29th at noon.

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By Larry Sleznikow, La Crosse
Posted: Friday, February 24, 2012 

Will Steger, an internationally famous explorer and environmentalist, spoke Tuesday at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
During his excellent presentation, he described his experiences participating in and leading a number of challenging Arctic and Antarctic expeditions.
 

The big news in the Climate Change Education world the last few weeks has been the controversy surrounding leaked Heartland Institute documents.  The documents show, among other things, their plan to develop a curriculum for teaching about climate change in K-12 schools. Dr. David Wojick, who is not a climate scientist and received his PhD in epistemology, will develop a set of modules on topics he deems to be “controversial” when in fact there is no controversy.  Curriculum modules include the role of humans causing climate change (science concludes humans are a major driver of climate change so yes, it is us!); how climate models work (science proves their models are reliable) and if CO2 is an air pollutant (which it is).  Two days ago Dr. Peter Gleick admitted to leaking the Heartland documents.  His admission has instigated a variety of responses on whether Dr. Gleick should be considered a hero or condemned for his actions.

Last week, Will Steger visited Hawley Elementary and Hawley High School to speak with students about his adventures and what the Hawley students have been learning about climate change. First, he met with a third grade class that has been participating in our Minnesota's Changing Climate project. The students were all very excited to meet Will and asked many questions about his expeditions, the effects of climate change on their region and climate change solutions. WDAY news in Fargo featured a great piece on this classroom visit. Will then gave a presentation to Hawley High School as well as members of the public. Students saw the impacts of climate change that Will has experienced firsthand and heard interesting tales from his expeditions. These students also asked a range of questions including how Will stayed motivated when facing such odds. Will responded that it was always his determination and drive that kept him going during difficult circumstances. This visit was a wonderful opportunity to visit a different region of the state and share Will's stories and knowledge with another group of students. Thanks to our wonderful hosts!

Will Steger and Martin Loken at the 2011 Changing Arctic Symposium.

We feature prominent climate scientists, leaders and authors to raise public awareness about the issue at public forums. Past public forums have included:

• The Changing Arctic: International Cooperation and Development. Over 80 people joined the Will Steger Foundation and partners for a thought-provoking conversation on The Changing Arctic on October 27th at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. The half-day event explored what a changing arctic, mainly an ice-free arctic, means for economics, the environment, diplomacy and security. (October 2011)
• Eyewitness Voices - North Pole Expedition Team Reflects on the Impacts of the Expedition on their Lives and the Planet (May 2011)
• The Climate Misinformation that Confused America [Video] with Dr. Naomi Oreskes (Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, August 2010)
• Edina Clean Energy Forum with Bill McKibben [Video] (August 2009)
• Global Warming Science and Solutions with Will Steger, J. Drake Hamilton and NASA's Dr. James Hansen [Video] (Science Museum of Minnesota, August 2008)

We also host a variety of community events with youth through our Emerging Leaders Program and with community partners including Minnesota Environmental Partnership, MPIRG, Oxfam, Fresh Energy, Renewable Energy Society, Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience and 350.org and MN350 to engage the public in climate action events.

Check out these exciting videos from past events:

Sense of Place in a Changing Climate	Clean Cars Lobby Day	MPIRG/YEA! MN lobby day
350 International Day of Action	HIRE MN Day at the Capitol	350 10/10/10 Solutions Revolution

Learn More about other areas: Clean Energy • Clean Air • Public Outreach • Back to Policy