You would probably be correct if you found it a bit ironic that a mixed snow and ice storm caused the cancellation of a community forum on global warming. Although the main event of the Associated Colleges' participation in Focus the Nation didn't happen, all four colleges had two successful days of teach-ins. Just shy of 700 people participated in events discussing the science, policy and behavior related to the causes and solutions of climate change.

Fifty-five people attended Clarkson University's Thursday teach-in and 35 attended on Friday. Between the twelve teach-ins offered over two days St. Lawrence University had exactly 150 participants including community members and entire classes. Some teach-ins had 60 people and were so popular they had to be moved to larger rooms; others proved disappointing to eager presenters as they lacked an audience. SUNY Canton had about 45 people attend their two teach-ins led by Matt Bullwinkel and Michael Newtown. With the largest turnout by far, SUNY Potsdam had a confirmed 300 attendees at their day long teach-in and estimate that participation may have been as high at 500 students attending at least one of the sessions. The high attendance is recognized as a result of the efforts of the provost, dean and president encouraging faculty to work the teach-in into their course syllabus.

Although the teach-ins took on different styles at each school a preliminary analysis of the questions, that were intended for discussion with the politicians, show similarities. Economic impacts of reducing carbon, the lack of a role being played by the U.S. on climate change issues, the importance of education of youth and personal responsibilities are examples of themes of these questions.

The questions from the four colleges are being compiled and organized into themes for use at the North County Symposium on April 9th at St. Lawrence's Eben Holden. More information about how these questions and the general momentum of Focus the Nation will be combined with the Symposium will be announced soon.

Listen to NCPR radio coverage of Focus the Nation.