Contact:
Kathy Jacobson, RN
The Broadwell Hill Learning Center
PH/FAX: 740-448-4000
Email: info@broadwellhill.org

Athens, Ohio — March 17, 2008 — A public conversation about global change will be held from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Athens Public Library, 30 Home Street, Athens. Everyone is invited to come and share their thought s on this question: How do humans need to adapt to survive the changes predicted for this century?

The event is part of Global Conversation Week hosted by the Conversation Café Initiative, a movement that encourages community conversations. Hundreds of people in 40 countries will come together March 24 to 30 to explore the most impor tant questions of our times. Input from all of these conversations will later be compiled and posted on the Internet at www.conversationweek.org.

Severe weather, and the droughts and flooding that result from it, is nothing new in this area, but these events are predicted to intensify due to global climate change. Denise Franz King, Director of Government Relations with The Ohio Nature Cons ervancy, will provide a brief presentation on how this may affect southeast Ohio. Preparedness information from The American Red Cross, The National Weather Service, and others will also be available in conjunction with Ohio Spring Severe Weather Awa reness Week.

Changing weather patterns will have broad reaching affects but we are also living in times of diminishing resources and many think that we will see major disruptions across our social, economic and environmental systems. How can we adapt to surviv e the changes predicted for the future?

The simple Conversation Café method brings together small groups and promotes respectful conversation by using a process of agreements that relate to open-mindedness, acceptance, curiosity, discovery, sincerity, and brevity.

Folks can enjoy good food and drink, learn how global climate change might affect this area, and share information in a small group about what we can do together to be better prepared for anything while strengthening our community for our k ids and grandkids. No matter what your age, background, expertise, or job, come and share your thoughts and knowledge to better answer this question in our community.

For more information:

Contact:

The Ohio Nature Conservancy
Denise Franz King, Director of Government Relations
URL: http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/

Conversation Cafés Initiatives
URL: http://conversationcafe.org

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather
URL: http://weathersafety.ohio.gov

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