ASU President Michael Crow and U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell, D-Ariz., welcomed nearly 100 students and Arizona residents at the Tempe campus Saturday to contribute their views on global warming at the international World Wide Views conference.
ASU was one of just seven U.S. locations to participate while a total of 38 nations took part in the discussion. These conferences were intended to give participants an opportunity to influence negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December, according to the event’s Web site.
At the event, participants brainstormed three main ideas: a call for global cooperation for climate protection, an end to fossil-fuel incentives and an acceleration of technology transfers. These ideas were published online by the end of the conference and will be available to world leaders.
The ASU event was organized by individuals from the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, including Netra Chhetri, Nalini Chhetri and Sylvain Gallais. It was also sponsored by various companies and organizations.
Leaders of the conference began by introducing community leaders including Mitchell, D-Ariz.
“I believe the future is possible, but because of issues like global warming, it is … uncertain,” he said.
Global warming is real, Mitchell said, and the evidence is overwhelming.
He spoke briefly about the schism between representatives in Washington regarding climate change legislation and beliefs.
Physics senior Alexei Matyushov, who is originally from Kiev, Ukraine, said he thinks the conference will help put pressure on politicians to listen to the voices of citizens.
Europe is generally more accepting of the science of global warming, he said, adding that he believes most of the people who attended Saturday’s event do not fit the stereotype of apathetic Americans.
Another participant, 43-year-old Martin Gromulat of Phoenix, said he hopes this conference will help increase awareness to the public and other countries.
“Now there is a grassroots movement that is really showing,” he said. “They keep reminding us we’re a part of history.”
As a conservation attorney, Gromulat said he would like to see some concrete steps and policy as a result of the conference.
Nalini Chhetri, a research fellow for the Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, said by participating in World Wide Views, ASU is living up to its mission statement as the New American University.
“ASU will benefit because of community outreach and global engagement [this will bring],” she said. “Everyone has a responsibility.”
Mainly scientists and lobbyists have been influencing climate policy until now, said Nalini Chhetri, who is also a lecturer at the School of Letters and Sciences.
By inviting the public to confer, it is the first opportunity to discuss, debate and influence policy, she said.
Her husband, assistant professor with Consortium for Science, Policy and Outcomes, Netra Chhetri, said that to him the event was about the human connection.
Originally from Nepal, Netra Chhetri, who also teaches at the School of Geographical Science and Urban Planning, said it was important to him to convey the human story by choosing participants from a variety of backgrounds.
“People were never involved — their voice is being heard for the first time,” Netra Chhetri said. “They feel like they are part of a global political procedure.”
The consortium is a think tank that conducts research about the societal benefit of science, he said. Members organized this project partly because of its mission to link science and society together.
For 57-year-old Andres Cacheux Gomez, the day was an eye-opener about how much of an effect he has had on the climate through his work.
Originally from Northern Mexico where he worked for a refrigeration business, Gomez had tears during some of the video segments.
“From now on my actions and decisions will now be made in better conscience,” he said in Spanish. “Before, I had little knowledge.”
Reach the reporter at ndgilber@asu.edu.
