The State of the Climate
Join us on Tuesday, March 18 (10:30AM to 12:45PM) at the Ohio Statehouse for a presentation by renowned paleoclimatologist, Dr. Lonnie Thompson of The Ohio State University Byrd Polar Research Center, and the Honorable Bob Inglis, Executive Director Energy and Enterprise Initiative and former Republican congressman from South Carolina. This is an opportunity to meet with legislators, hear the up-to-date climate science, followed by discussion of leadership and our moral obligation.
After the presentation at the Statehouse, we hope you'll be able to join us for a Briefing and Networking time (1pm-3pm) at Trinity Episcopal Church (Capitol Square, 125 East Broad Street, within walking distance of the Statehouse). We'll review state and federal legislation and provide climate action activities and ideas.
Our Speakers
Dr. Lonnie G. Thompson is a Distinguished University Professor in the School of Earth Sciences and a Senior Research Scientist in the Byrd Polar Research Center at The Ohio State University. His research has propelled the field of ice core paleoclimatology out of the Polar Regions to the highest tropical and subtropical ice fields. His observations of glacier retreat over the last three decades confirm that glaciers around the world are melting and provide clear evidence that the warming of the last 50 years is now outside the range of climate variability for several millennia, if not longer. Dr. Thompson is a recipient of the National Medal of Science - the highest possible recognition from the U.S. government - presented in 2007 by President Bush. His career is portrayed in profiles by the national PBS "Nova" science series and his achievements have also been featured in the New York Times and National Geographic.
Bob Inglis is the Executive Director of the Energy and Enterprise Initiative based at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Inglis founded and launched the national, grassroots organization on July 10, 2012. E&EI is guided by the conservative principles of free enterprise and economic growth, limited government, liberty, accountability and reasonable risk avoidance to solve our nation’s energy and climate challenges. Before starting E&EI, Inglis represented South Carolina’s Fourth Congressional District for 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was a member of the House Science Committee where he served as the Chairman of the Research Subcommittee and then as the Ranking Member of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. During his six years on the Science Committee, interactions with scientists in Antarctica, Australia and elsewhere shaped his views on climate change.
We also welcome Ben Lowe, the national spokesperson for Young Evangelicals for Climate Action to the State of the Climate event. A dedicated activist and organizer, Ben was born and raised a missionary kid in Southeast Asia, where he experienced firsthand the impacts of poverty and pollution. He now lives as part of an intentional community in a refugee and immigrant neighborhood outside Chicago, where he ran for U.S. Congress in 2010.
More Event Details
Deadline for registration is March 11, 2014. Lunch is included in the registration fee (Individuals: $20.00)
We are inviting all state legislators to the State of the Climate event. However, we encourage you to reach out to your representative and extend an invitiation to the event as a constituent.
Visitors to the Ohio Statehouse are invited to park in the facility's underground parking garage. The Statehouse is located in downtown Columbus on High and Broad Streets. Vehicles can access the Statehouse parking garage from Broad, State or Third Streets (there are no High Street entrances). Surface parking is also available off State Street.