As winter moves into spring, the subject of climate change continues to be a hot topic issue across the country.
In response to inquiries about the topic, a free public education workshop on climate change, featuring Dr. Audrey Depelteau and Samantha Tracey, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 4, from 2-4 p.m. in the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library community room.
The event is sponsored by the Carter County Democratic Women’s Club and Carter County Proud.
“It is a problem,” Pat Buck, with the Women’s Club, said. “It’s real, simple evidence is shown just from gardening. We live in a very desirable climate so we don’t see some of the issues that are going on in coastal areas.”
Buck, an avid gardener, noted that spring is currently three weeks ahead of its normal timeline.
Depelteau and Tracey will be discussing the science behind climate issues during the meeting.
“If you have been following the extreme weather patterns such as super-storms, droughts, floods, fires and want to find out why they are happening, then come join us for the this informational program,” the Club said in a statement to the Elizabethton Star.
Depelteau is a lifelong environmentalist and performed graduate work in environmental toxicology at Albany Medical College and Rensselaer Institute in the 1970s. She moved to Johnson City in 2009 to manage a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the Department of Biological Sciences at ETSU. Since then, Depelteau has been the director of ETSU’s Innovation Lab for the past six years. Depelteau trained to be a Climate Reality Leader in 2013, and has since taken a course through the University of California at San Diego on Climate Change and also received a certificate.
“I had the chance to hear her before,” Buck said. “It’s encouraging to have someone like her come by. She’s local and has been very gracious with her time …. we also want to thank the library for allowing us to use their community room. They’re such a great asset to the community with all the resources they offer.”
Tracey, who will also speak during the event, is a freshman in the Honors Program at Northeast State Community College with the hopes of attending veterinary school upon graduation. Along with Depelteau, Tracey also trained to be a Climate Reality Leader in 2013.
“This is a problem that our young people will see,” Buck said. “That is the benefit of an event like this. It allows the community to see a problem that is real and pay attention to what can be done to help with the issue.”
Carter County Proud’s partnership with the event is also important, Buck added. Tackling the issue of litter and beautification within the county, she added the group was more than happy to join in with the event.
Saturday’s event is open to the public. For more information on the event or how to get involved with the groups, email Women’s Club president Kristi Carr at kcarr59@yahoo.com or visit the Carter County Democratic Party Facebook page. Individuals can also learn more about Carter County Proud by visiting their Facebook page, too.