An Inconvenient Truth," the critically-acclaimed documentary on the dangers of global warming, former Vice President Al Gore participated in a confere
Woman messenger for climate change
Tuesday, January 02, 207 By NICK FALSONEThe Express-Times Fresh off the release of "An Inconvenient Truth," the critically-acclaimed documentary on the dangers of global warming, former Vice President Al Gore participated in a conference call this summer sponsored by moveon.org.
One of the members of the political action group, 27-year-old Allentown resident Jamie Harkins, listened closely and zeroed in on one of Gore's ideas -- train people across the country to give similar presentations to the one Gore gave in the documentary. Send them out to the schools and churches in their communities. Get the word out about global warming through a grass-roots effort.
Even before Gore's idea came to fruition as The Climate Project, Harkins wrote letters expressing her desire to become a presenter. She made phone calls. The efforts paid off.
Today she'll travel to Nashville, Tenn., to join hundreds of other volunteers in a two-day training session featuring Gore and climatology experts. Upon completion, she'll be deemed a climate change messenger.
She'll then give her own presentations on global warming to the Lehigh Valley community.
"We have to commit to doing it 10 times in the next year, but I think I'll be doing it more than that," said Harkins, vice president of finance at Easton's State Theatre.
A worthwhile investment
The Climate Project offers the training at no cost, but all other expenses fall on Hawkins. It's an investment she said she's willing to make and one that is the latest in a series of efforts to cement the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle in the minds of her peers.
The birth of her passion can be traced back to an environmental economics class at her alma mater, Muhlenberg College. The class and further study about global warming inspired Hawkins to show others the simple changes that can help make a difference in the environment. She bought a diesel-fuel car and installed energy-efficient light bulbs in her apartment among other things.
Hawkins took her cause further by spearheading new programs at the State Theatre and her church, Jordan UCC in Allentown.
State Theatre spokeswoman Jamie Balliet said Hawkins is "very energetic in her personal commitments and has helped initiate recycling efforts at the State Theatre." The staff recycles office paper and newsprint. In 2007, for the first time, bins for plastic and glass containers will be placed in the lobby. She said Hawkins has played a major role in the change.
"I have known Jamie for a number of years and she is very dedicated," Balliet said. "Even for the holidays, her gifts consisted of baskets filled with organic, recycled and energy-efficient materials."
Jordan UCC Pastor David Smith said he received a similar gift from Hawkins this Christmas. The church, which recycles everything from aluminum cans to cell phones, has embraced her outlook on the environment, he said.
The pastor said he hopes Hawkins will teach environmental issues to an adult class at the church later in the winter and write about her training experience in the church's newsletter.
Not just for hippies
Hawkins pointed out that her efforts at the State Theatre, the church and everywhere else haven't overwhelmed her life. She is committed to her full-time job and still has time for other activities.
With the exception of the upcoming training and subsequent presentations, she stressed that the little things -- the diesel car, the light bulbs, the recycling -- are what will ultimately curb global warming if enough people join in.
Hawkins said these little things are no longer what just "hippies" are doing. They're slowly entering the mainstream. She said if she can help speed up that process, the extra cost and time she's putting in for The Climate Project will be well worth it.
"I want to prove to people that you don't have to devote your whole life to this," she said. "This is an easy concept to grasp aside from your job, aside from your kids. It doesn't mean you have to quit your job and join Greenpeace."
Bethlehem Editor Nick Falsone can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at nfalsone@express-times.com.
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1167714403288100.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
Tuesday, January 02, 207 By NICK FALSONEThe Express-Times Fresh off the release of "An Inconvenient Truth," the critically-acclaimed documentary on the dangers of global warming, former Vice President Al Gore participated in a conference call this summer sponsored by moveon.org.
One of the members of the political action group, 27-year-old Allentown resident Jamie Harkins, listened closely and zeroed in on one of Gore's ideas -- train people across the country to give similar presentations to the one Gore gave in the documentary. Send them out to the schools and churches in their communities. Get the word out about global warming through a grass-roots effort.
Even before Gore's idea came to fruition as The Climate Project, Harkins wrote letters expressing her desire to become a presenter. She made phone calls. The efforts paid off.
Today she'll travel to Nashville, Tenn., to join hundreds of other volunteers in a two-day training session featuring Gore and climatology experts. Upon completion, she'll be deemed a climate change messenger.
She'll then give her own presentations on global warming to the Lehigh Valley community.
"We have to commit to doing it 10 times in the next year, but I think I'll be doing it more than that," said Harkins, vice president of finance at Easton's State Theatre.
A worthwhile investment
The Climate Project offers the training at no cost, but all other expenses fall on Hawkins. It's an investment she said she's willing to make and one that is the latest in a series of efforts to cement the importance of an eco-friendly lifestyle in the minds of her peers.
The birth of her passion can be traced back to an environmental economics class at her alma mater, Muhlenberg College. The class and further study about global warming inspired Hawkins to show others the simple changes that can help make a difference in the environment. She bought a diesel-fuel car and installed energy-efficient light bulbs in her apartment among other things.
Hawkins took her cause further by spearheading new programs at the State Theatre and her church, Jordan UCC in Allentown.
State Theatre spokeswoman Jamie Balliet said Hawkins is "very energetic in her personal commitments and has helped initiate recycling efforts at the State Theatre." The staff recycles office paper and newsprint. In 2007, for the first time, bins for plastic and glass containers will be placed in the lobby. She said Hawkins has played a major role in the change.
"I have known Jamie for a number of years and she is very dedicated," Balliet said. "Even for the holidays, her gifts consisted of baskets filled with organic, recycled and energy-efficient materials."
Jordan UCC Pastor David Smith said he received a similar gift from Hawkins this Christmas. The church, which recycles everything from aluminum cans to cell phones, has embraced her outlook on the environment, he said.
The pastor said he hopes Hawkins will teach environmental issues to an adult class at the church later in the winter and write about her training experience in the church's newsletter.
Not just for hippies
Hawkins pointed out that her efforts at the State Theatre, the church and everywhere else haven't overwhelmed her life. She is committed to her full-time job and still has time for other activities.
With the exception of the upcoming training and subsequent presentations, she stressed that the little things -- the diesel car, the light bulbs, the recycling -- are what will ultimately curb global warming if enough people join in.
Hawkins said these little things are no longer what just "hippies" are doing. They're slowly entering the mainstream. She said if she can help speed up that process, the extra cost and time she's putting in for The Climate Project will be well worth it.
"I want to prove to people that you don't have to devote your whole life to this," she said. "This is an easy concept to grasp aside from your job, aside from your kids. It doesn't mean you have to quit your job and join Greenpeace."
Bethlehem Editor Nick Falsone can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at nfalsone@express-times.com.
http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-9/1167714403288100.xml&coll=2&thispage=1
posted by presgore19 at 8:42 AM
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