"Climate Change Up Close: Investigating the Issue in Wisconsin and Beyond," is the theme of the 2006 Governor�s High School Conference on the Environment.

It is the fourth year the governor has sponsored the event and the 15^th annual high school conference the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point has hosted. The conference is slated for Wednesday, November 15, at the Country Springs Hotel in Stevens Point.

Billy Parish, a Rolling Stone magazine "climate hero," is the keynote speaker. Parish�s story is compelling. A student at Yale University, he decided to "drop out" and devote all of his attention and energy to building the youth climate change movement. According to Parish, "global warming activism is a call to arms � because we are the ones who will have to deal with its growing consequences. And our efforts are at the same time a plea for accountability to the generation now in power; as they have allowed the crisis to get to this point."

Christine Thomas, professor and dean of the College of Natural Resources at UWSP, will also address the conference.

More than 300 of Wisconsin�s brightest students and teachers, grades 9-12, will learn about Wisconsin�s climate record and the changes that may be in store for our state as a result of global climate change. Topics will include learning about the carbon cycle, how energy choices can affect our climate, how global warming could affect Wisconsin�s ecological systems and how individuals can contribute to workable solutions. In addition to learning about the physical science of global climate change, participants will have the opportunity to attend sessions about the economic effects, political struggles and public health challenges related to this global environmental problem.

According to Jesse Baker, conference coordinator, the purpose of the conference is to share the best available information on climate change while offering a forum where students and teachers alike can better understand one of the most pressing issues facing Wisconsin and the nation. Each high school is invited to send up to eight students, all of whom are asked to prepare an exhibit to share at the conference.

"Our objective is not only to inform the students but to help each student find her/his leadership potential while fostering interest in the environment and climate issues," said Baker. "Climate change is not only an issue for today but for the foreseeable future and it is imperative that we give our young people the necessary tools and knowledge to tackle these complex issues in the coming years."

For the first time, and with the help of Wisconsin Public Service and the Country Springs Hotel, the conference will be powered by 100% NatureWise clean, green energy.

UWSP faculty and staff taking part in the conference include Alan Haney, Phyllis Peri, Jennie Lane, Jeremy Solin, Sara Windjue, Susan Ermer, Jamie Hiler and Carrie Bea Ziolkowsk . Other guest presenters include representatives from UW-Eau Claire, UW-Madison, Northland College�s Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association, Stevens Point Area Senior High School, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Public Service Community Foundation, and the Wisconsin State Climatology Office.

Conference sponsors beyond the WCEE include the College of Natural Resources, The Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB), The Nature Conservancy, We Energies, the Captain Planet Foundation, Clif Bar, Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP), and Learning, Experiences & Activities in Forestry (LEAF).

Schools taking part in the conference include:

Argyle Land Ethic Academy Barron High School Ben Franklin Middle School Brillion Public Schools Bruce High School Chilton High School Colfax High School Cudahy High School Denmark High School DePere High School Eau Claire Memorial High School Eau Claire North High School Elmwood High School Fennimore High School Fond du Lac High School Fort Atkinson High School

Gillett High School Hayward High School Hurley High School Kiel High School Kimberly High School Ladysmith High School Lincoln High School Lourdes High School Luxemburg- Casco High School Marinette High School Markesan High School Marshfield High School Middleton High School New Berlin High School Newman Catholic High School North High School

Ozaukee High School Pardeeville High School Pecatonica Area Schools Pewaukee High School P.J. Jacobs Junior High Prentice High School Pulaski High School Seymour High School St. Catherine�s High School St. John�s Northwestern Military Academy Stevens Point Area Senior High Waupaca High School West Allis Central High School West Bend High School Wild Rose High School

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