SUBJECT:	UCSD Climate Change Awareness - Focus The Nation,
	January 30-31, 2008

On January 30-31, 2008, UCSD will participate in Focus the Nation (http://www.focusthenation.org), a nation-wide program in which universities and other educational institutions devote one day during the month of January to focus on climate change solutions. On January 31, 2008, faculty and teachers in universities and K-12 institutions across the nation will address climate change in their classes and facilitate discussion on environmental sustainability.

UCSD's Focus the Nation student representatives have assembled an exciting program for January 31 and the surrounding week. The events aim to utilize the diversity of UCSD's academic programs in relating climate change to every aspect of our lives and to stimulate creative thinking about climate change solutions across disciplinary boundaries. A variety of educational and participatory programs have been planned for staff, students, and faculty. Local and regional elected officials and public agency representatives have also been invited to many of our campus' Focus the Nation events.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join in this important effort.

Faculty should consider setting aside time during classes on January 30-31 to discuss climate change solutions with students. For suggestions on how to effectively incorporate discussions of climate change solutions into your classes, please visit:

http://www.climatechangeeducation.org

To become involved with Focus the Nation outside of the classroom, please consider attending one of the following campus events:

*Nation-wide Focus the Nation webcast kickoff: Student Services Center, 400 Conference Room - 5:00 p.m., January 30

*UCSD Climate Change Solution Discussion Panel: Student Service Center, Multipurpose Room - Chancellor Fox will introduce the panel which includes UCSD Faculty, a local energy policy expert, and elected officials; this event will be followed by a mock trial by the UCSD mock trial team on climate change solutions 4:00 p.m., January 31

*For other events and further details please visit

http://focusthenation.ucsd.edu/events.html

It is our hope that Focus the Nation will help "focus" the UCSD community on the need to address climate change, to reduce the campus' environmental footprint, and to lead the UC system in sustainable practices.

Paul W. Drake Senior Vice Chancellor - Academic Affairs