Bill McKibben's organization, 350.org, is trying to make a global difference in solving the climate change crisis.

CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT UPDATE

Nationally known activist and environmentalist Bill McKibben spoke to a full house at UNCA on Nov. 30, 2011, filling Lipinsky Auditorium to near capacity with over 600 people who frequently applauded his impressive and, at times, shocking talk about the dire straits ahead for America and the world, "from Pakistan drowning in floods to Texas burning with wild fires."

McKibben provided solutions, explaining that a massive people's movement to demand that corporations and governments reduce carbon output was urgently needed now, "but I honestly don't know if that is going to be enough."

He said that the U.S. and the world have only begun to feel the early effects of climate change, and as the earth's temperature continues to rise due to more carbon entering the atmosphere, greater flooding and drought would result. "The scientists have been great," said McKibben, explaining that they had accurately predicted the severe climatic changes that have been occurring around the world.

McKibben said a people's movement in the U.S. and abroad to directly confront energy corporations that continue to ignore the reality that their carbon output was unsustainable. He said energy corporations must be taxed for the degradation that they are causing.

He urged the passage of a U.S. Constitutional amendment that states corporations are not people would be necessary to loosen the stranglehold that corporations had on Congress and the people. He said every congressman and congresswoman should be asked which side of that issue they stand. He said at least we know where Mitt Romney stands on the issue after stating in Iowa that he believes "corporations are persons." But, said McKibben, most people, whether they are independents, Republicans or Democrats, "do not believe that."

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Where environmentalism and politics meet

Climate Reality Project features regionally known ecologist followed by nationally known environmentalist at UNCA Nov. 30

Two free presentations open to the public on Weds., Nov. 30, 2011, at UNCA: (1) Regionally known ecologist Dr. Edward Hauser speaks at 5:30 p.m. in UNCA's Humanities Lecture Hall (2) Nationally known author-educator-environmentalist Bill McKibben speaks at 7 p.m., Weds., Nov. 30, 2011, in UNCA's Lipinsky Hall, which seats approximately 650 people; programs open to the public on a first-come basis.

This Climate Reality Project event is part of a national tour by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben. He is author of "The End of Nature" and "The Global Warming Reader," which have become a galvanizing force for environmentalism in politics.

Program details at Asheville Green Drinks website: More> | UNCA campus map: More>