University of Connecticut
IN-1: Innovation 1

In the interest of keeping climate change at the forefront of the UConn community’s attention, the Office of Environmental Policy will help coordinate a system-wide interdepartmental “teach-in” this upcoming April. Tentatively titled “Our Environment: A Dialogue on Change,” this week-long effort, from April 15-22, is set to continue building on the momentum set by a number of successful Climate Impact Mitigation and Adaptation (CIMA) events in the spring of 2012.

This year, the UConn community can expect another well-collaborated and dynamic CIMA week planned by the organizing committee of student, faculty, staff and town representatives. Given the success of last spring, the committee aims to reach a wider audience and engage in a broader discussion. The faculty participating are provided with informational support through our CIMA webpage (http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/outreach/cima.html) with potential lecturers, available guest speakers, and reference materials. This series will also encompass various events focused on the environment and include the annual Earth Day Spring Fling (EDSF) celebrations held at the main campus (and certain regional campuses), co-sponsored by the OEP, Dining Services, EcoHusky, and EcoHouse! Two specific events planned out by the committee are the National Screening of 'The Island President' on April 17th and a Town Meeting, "Planning for the Future in the Context of Climate Change,"on April 29th featuring the Nature's Conservancy.

Kicking off in March last year, the CIMA events featured university faculty and guest speakers such as independent journalist and author Mark Hertsgaard, and the Teale Lecture speaker, Michael Mann, an award-winning climatologist. Other events included a panel discussion focused on incorporating various aspects of sustainability, a Climate Impact Expo in the town of Mansfield, and an interactive Eco-footprint exhibition developed by the EcoHusky student group. The reactions of students to CIMA last year were very positive, as shown by the overwhelming attendance at the Michael Mann lecture and the passionate participation in discussions during both the sustainability panel and at the close of each lecture or expo.

The list of related events advertised are as follows:
5 April - Humanities Institute Day in the Humanities, "Silent Springs"
Student Union Theater at Storrs Campus
9 April - Coastal Perspectives Lecture Series: "The Legacy of Rachel Carson"
Avery Point Campus
17 April- National Screening: "The Island President" at 7:00pm
Room 102 of Laurel Hall at Storrs Campus, Location at Avery Point TBD
18 April- Annual EcoHusky Earth Day Spring Fling
Fairfield Way on Storrs Campus
18 April- Teale Lecture Series: "The Lost Woods of Childhood" at 4:00pm
Konover Auditorium at Storrs Campus
21 April- EcoHusky 5k Road Race
Horsebarn Hill on Storrs Campus
22 April- Earth Day!
25 April- Earth Day Celebration
Avery Point Campus
28 April- UConn Cycles Ride
Fairfield Way on Storrs Campus
29 April- "Planning for the Future in the Context of Climate Change"
Town Meeting