People’s University Climate Change: Is there still hope?
The Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling is launching a new, 5-part People’s University series about climate change, but not one focused on doom and gloom. Instead, the series will consider the science of climate change, the existential threat it poses, a wakeup call about how much time we really have, and the truth about hope for the future, if we find a way to work together.
The series is inspired by the 2023 Wheeling Reads: One Book, One Community initiative, which includes a season of programming and events based on author Jennifer Haigh’s novel, “Heat and Light.”
Wheeling Reads, in partnership with the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia (WANA) and West Virginia Writers, Inc., with funding provided by the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission, encourages Ohio Valley residents to read Haigh’s book, which tells the story of a western Pennsylvania coal town that finds new life and hardship when a fracking company begins operations. Over the summer, the library will host events, lectures and discussions (such as the People’s University, Climate Change) on issues surrounding the book, including climate change, environmental justice and hope for the future.
The Wheeling reads Inititiative also include an art and writing contest.
The season’s programming will culminate at the Wheeling Reads Festival on September 9, at which Haigh will be the guest speaker at the Library.
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Meanwhile, the People’s University Climate Change series begins on August 10, 2023 at 7 pm with Class 1-“Earth’s changing climate: Causes, consequences, & challenges.”
We won’t know what to do about climate change if we don’t understand what’s going on. So, this presentation will summarize: 1) how Earth controls its temperature; 2) why Earth’s climate can be temperamental; 3) how we know Mother Earth is running a fever; 4) why human actions are making her ill; and 5) the path towards recovery and the obstacles in our way. In addition to summarizing fundamental information about climate change, I will introduce some trusted voices and reliable sources of information on this topic.
Instructor: Dr. William Peterjohn, Professor, Department of Biology, WVU.
August 17, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 2-Will forests continue to slow climate change in the future?
Forests are one of the best ecosystems at taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and locking it away for long periods of time. Without this vital ecosystem service, climate change would progress at a much faster pace. However, forest productivity and health may be threatened or enhanced by changes in future climate. In this class, we will discuss how forests store C and how their ability to continue doing so is altered by elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, warming, and drought.
Instructor: Joanna Ridgeway, Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Biology, WVU.
August 24, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 3-Harnessing nature to slow climate change.
There is a growing movement to manage natural ecosystems to enhance their ability to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Proposed efforts include improved forest management, using agriculture crops for bioenergy, and wetland restoration. West Virginia has the opportunity to be a leader in natural climate solutions, particularly given that it is over 75% forested. In this class, we will examine existing efforts and technologies that can be employed to slow climate change and the potential for West Virginia to take a leading role in this effort.
Instructor: Dr. Eddie Brzostek, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, WVU.
Extractive industries have a long history in West Virginia that has shaped the economy, culture of our state while leaving scars on the landscape. Despite the serious environmental issues, we face in West Virginia, there is good reason to be optimistic. This presentation will describe how stewardship of the environment and our natural resources has improved over the past few decades and reasons to be optimistic about the future.
Instructor: Dr. Ember Morrissey, Associate Professor of Environmental Microbiology at WVU.
Sept. 7, 2023 at 7 pm: Class 5-Reasons for Hope -Generation Z Takes Action–featuring 11-year-old Zane Murray of Wheeling met with and interviewed attorney Rob Bilott at his law office in Covington, Kentucky, in December 2022 for a school project on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Murray was haunted by the dangers of these man-made chemicals, which are linked to cancer and other diseases, after he watched the film “Dark Waters” depicting Bilott’s work to hold industry accountable for PFAS pollution. Murray went on to win the U.S. History first-place award for a project he presented at Steenrod Elementary School at an Ohio County Schools social studies fair and second place in the state, but he did not stop there. Zane wrote more than 140 letters urging action on PFAS to state and federal lawmakers. Zane will be joined by Mr. Bilott, who will Zoom in to appear at the program and speak with Zane about their work and about hope for the future. Don’t miss Zane’s inspirational story.
Instructor Dr. Eddie Brzostek, is an Associate Professor of Biology at West Virginia University. His research uses experiments and observations to examine how forests and agroecosystems store carbon. He uses this information to develop mathematical models that predict the response of carbon storage in these systems to future climate change. He received his B.A. in Earth Science from Boston University in 2003 prior to completing his doctoral degree in Biology at Boston University in 2012.
Dr. Ember Morrissey is an Associate Professor of Environmental Microbiology at West Virginia University. Her research focuses on soil microbial ecology, sustainable agriculture, environmental science, soil carbon sequestration, and global change ecology. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland in 2007 prior to completing her doctoral degree in Integrative Life Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014.
| Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design | Morrissey, … |
Dr. William Peterjohn is a Professor of Biology at WVU. During his 40+ year career as an ecosystem ecologist his research has focused on the interface between terrestrial nutrient cycles and human-caused changes in the environment. He received a B.S. in Mathematics & Biology from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1979, a Masters of Environmental Science (M.En) from Miami University in 1982, and a Ph.D. from Duke University in 1990. Prior to arriving at WVU, he worked for the EPA (one summer), the Smithsonian Institution, and the Ecosystem Center in Woods Hole, MA. During his career he has conducted research in agroecosystems, deserts, and the forests of West Virginia.
And Joanna Ridgeway is a PhD candidate working with Dr. Eddie Brzostek in the Department of Biology at WVU. Her research focuses on how managed and unmanaged ecosystems sequester carbon and help combat climate change. She received her B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from West Virginia University and will be completing her doctoral degree in Biology at West Virginia University in fall of 2023.
The People’s University is a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts. It features courses—taught by experts in each subject—that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as history, philosophy, and literature. Patrons may attend as many classes as they wish. There are no tests of other requirements and all programs are free and open to the public.
In 1951, the Ohio County Public Library’s head librarian, Virginia Ebeling, referenced British historian Thomas Carlyle, who said, “the public library is a People’s University,” when she initiated a new adult education program with that name. Miss Ebeling charged the Library with the responsibility of reaching “as many people in the community as possible.” In keeping with that tradition of public libraries as sanctuaries of free learning for all people, the Ohio County Public Library revived the series in 2010.
For more information about the People’s University Climate Change or other Library programs, call 304-232-0244 or stop by the Reference Desk.
Download the People’s University Climate Change Brochure.
Download the People’s University Climate Change Flyer.
