Northfield Area Climate Summit: Students' Perspective

Dear Editor,

As Minnesotans, we appreciate the natural beauty of our state. We love canoeing in the Boundary Waters, hiking along the Superior Trail, and skiing in Cowling Arboretum. With love comes the fear of loss, and we are concerned about the sustainability and future of Minnesota’s natural beauty. However, we are excited to be part of a community at Carleton and in Northfield that is aware of environmental issues and is taking steps to protect the natural world.

        Next Saturday is the Northfield Area Climate Summit where members of the community will come together to take action and take steps to improve the sustainability of the greater Northfield area. Paul Douglas, a meteorologist who specifically studies the implications that climate change has on Minnesota, will give the keynote address, and other local experts will discuss issues including sustainable food, the climate’s impact on the economy, and practical steps for small businesses and homeowners. After the summit, the Greater Northfield Sustainability Collaborative, a website that will act as a community hub for new sustainability initiatives, will be launched.

        We are excited to hear what the Northfield community has to say about these pressing issues, and we hope you too will come and join the conversation on January 18th at St. Olaf College’s Buntrock Commons. You can register for the event at http://northfieldclimatesummit.org/registration/.

Sincerely,
Charlotte Beal, Kevin Doyle, and Sarah Goldman (Students at Carleton College)