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NEWS April 19, 2013 World-renowned journalist Daniel Grossman discusses global climate change BY BRYAN DOOLEY Senior Writer Renowned environmental journalist and Daniel Grossman has reported on climate change from all seven continents. He has contributed to numerous well-known publications, including The New York Times and The Boston Globe as well as several famous television network and radio productions. In 2002, he won the George Foster Peabody Award, the most prestigious award in broadcasting, for his work on 'The DNA Files," a public radio documentary series. On April 11, The Guilfordian sat down with Grossman before his presentation on global warming, "Heat of the Moment." Q: In your book, "Deep Water," you suggest that drastic actions need to be taken to prevent sea level rise. Ideally, what are those actions? A: From a policy point of view, two things need to happen. One, we need to make energy more expensive. The fossil fuel related sources of energy have to be more expensive. We need to take away some of the subsidies for fossil fuel and tax fossil fuels more heavily and therefore make the nontraditional forms of energy by comparison cheaper. That is an important policy program. On the technology side, our investment in alternative energy and in conservation is relatively small. We need to be doing more of that. Q: Can you elaborate on some of the consequences of inaction on climate change? A: The most obvious effect of the warming of the planet is rise of sea level. Second, mountain glaciers around the world are melting dramatically. There is about a two-foot equivalent of sea level frozen in the world's mountain glaciers that is melting fast. Finally, there are the polar ice sheets. Those are releasing a lot of water already. Storms will be longer. Heat waves will be longer and deeper. I reported in Paris in 2003 on a heat wave that killed 200 people. Forty thousand people died in Europe as a whole. It was the hottest temperatures experienced in hundreds of years. Q; In your opinion, what will it take to get people to wake up to the reality of global warming? A: I don't really know. The rest of the world is more concerned than the U.S. The fossil fuel industry is spending a lot of money to mislead Americans. It is terribly scary to imagine all these things happening, and a lot of people don't want to think about it. According to activist Bill McKibben, the industries are a threat to the world because they have investments in stockpiles of fossil fuels. If we stopped them from burning their stockpiles, all the people who invested would lose money. So in order for these people to get what they need, we must endanger the planet. It could be a couple more Hurricane Sandys that will make people realize how serious this is. But, I don't know if this is the case. Q: What would you say to college students who feel they do not have any power over the issue of global warming right now? A: I struggle with this myself. Some of my work is funded by organizations, and I've got to make a case that my work is important. It's not clear what's going to make a difference. I would not tell someone that what I do is certainly the only way. And, I would agree it might not be successful, but it might be. Think about what skills they have and what interests, and what is the j best way to use their ,skills to bring change to the issue of global warming. I think getting involved in student movements like 350.org (a movement founded by Bill McKibben in which colleges are divesting from the oil industry) is good. Some of the people will become leaders. But, these organizations need all kinds of people: communicators, organizers, entertainers. There is not one good answer. I would encourage students (to get involved) because this is the most important work you can do with your life, and it could make a difference. For the rest of The Guilfordian’s interview with Dan Grossman, check out our website at www.guilfordian.com. For more information about Dan Grossman’s work, check out 350.org and dangrossmanmedia.com. Dan Grossman is an environmental reporter, working to inform people about global warming and other environmental dangers. A Guilfordian Announcement: Last week, we published a list of ideas from the community about where donor money could go and began circulating a survey. We heard a few concerns about the phrasing of question three, so we would like to clarify:The Guilfordian knows that the money for the fountain and plaza is restricted and cannot be changed. The purpose of the survey is to begin a discussion with the Board of Trustees and donors about making sure the community’s voice is heard when dealing with money for the school. If you haven’t, please take our survey! We would love as much input as possible. Go to: HTTP://WWW.SURVEYMONKEY.COM/S/XCXNC3l^ Or email GUILFORDIAN@GUILFORD.EDU with questions, OCCUPY FOUNDERS TUESDAY APRIL 23 BOREN LOUNGE 8 P.M. Remember old Founders? What do you miss about it? What would you like changed about new Founders? Come Occupy Founders on Tuesday night and discuss how students can take back Founders and make it more community-oriented. Be there. Want to learn more about how WQFS, Guilford's student-run radio station, works? Interested in getting course credit by working at our radio station? Starting Fall 2013, the WQFS Practicum course can be taken for 2 or 4 credits, and counts toward a minor in music or communications, or as an elective. It will be Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please contact Kate Schwab (schwabkc@guilford.edu) OR Kami Rowan (krowan@guilford.edu) with any questions.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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