Spring Break
Interactive lecture looks at global warming
Kimberly Lien
Issue date: 4/16/07 Section: News
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Most in attendance were meteorology students - they were offered extra credit for their attendance - and most were concerned about global warming.
The lecture was interactive. Each attendee was issued an electronic keypad as they entered the room, and throughout the lecture Cordero asked the audience to respond to questions he posed by entering their responses on the keypad.
The first question Cordero asked was: What best describes how you feel about global warming?
The majority of the audience - 55 percent - responded that they were concerned, 20 percent were curious and 10 percent were motivated for action.
Vi Nguyen, a senior majoring in biology, attended the lecture in order to receive extra credit, and he said he probably wouldn't have gone if it were not for that fact.
However, he also said that he thought it was a worthwhile and educational experience.
"Yeah," Nguyen said, "because I didn't realize that (people were) trying to do something about it, like that incandescent light bulb thing."
The "incandescent light bulb thing" Nguyen referred to is an effort being put forth by the Australian government to reduce energy use by banning incandescent light bulbs throughout the country.
The misinformation of the public on the issue of climate, weather and global warming was a concern Cordero addressed by involving the audience in a quick interactive activity.
Cordero presented this scenario to the audience: "You are watching a CNN report of a massive heat wave that has been crippling the Midwest for almost a week. The reporter states that this event is clearly a result of global warming. Your friend says no way."
After setting up the situation, Cordero asked the audience: Who do you believe: the reporter who claims global warming is to blame for the weather or your friend who says no way?
While 66 percent of the audience believed the reporter was telling the truth, it was the friend who was correct.
As Cordero explained, one event cannot be linked to a long-term change in climate, even if it's Hurricane Katrina.
The purpose of this exercise was to expose the danger behind false information being disseminated in the media and its effect on popular belief.
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