Awareness of Climate Change through Education and Research

A Vancouver Island University Student Initiative

05/02/11

Welcome!

Climate Change: Communicating Across the Divides

Monday May 9th/2011 Bldg. 355, VIU Nanaimo Campus 8:30 - 4:00 for info/registration contact ACER@viu.ca

The Awareness of Climate change through Education and Research (ACER) project is a university based initiative to promote a greater understanding of the science and social implications of climate change to students and the general public throughout Vancouver Island and coastal BC. The program includes an interactive presentation, the development of hands-on activities and educational materials and an annual symposium with workshops and guest speakers. The presentation provides information on the physical basis of global warming, presents up-to-date information greenhouse gases and global average temperatures, introduces concepts of risk assessment, and provides a starting point for discussions on technical, social and political solutions.  The presentation and associated activities promote scientific literacy with an emphasis on Earth observation, data evaluation and visualization, problem solving and critical thinking.  It provides an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of this pressing environmental issue, promote relevant post-secondary programs and encourage careers in the sciences, engineering and humanities.

Our mandate is to raise awareness, promote a sense of urgency and discuss a range of solutions and innovative ideas to develop renewable energy sources.  Most importantly, we aspire to motivate our audiences to take action in their own lives that contribute to the sustainability of our planet! ACER aspires to motivate our audiences, because we ourselves have been inspired and motivated to take action.  We wish to share our education with the public, with a particular emphasis on youth, in order to raise the scientific literacy on the single most important environmental issue of our time, climate change!

If you would like to contact us for more information or to book a presentation for your class or group please contact us at ACER@viu.ca