Global-warming forum hosted by climate group
Posted on Wednesday, August 9, 2006
BENTONVILLE The Arkansas Climate Awareness Project hosted a forum here Tuesday to discuss how global warming impacts the state and how the state could impact global warming.
ARCAP is a nonpartisan effort to inform Arkansans about issues surrounding global warming the heating up of the Earth caused by more carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the air.
The group believes biofuels, solar energy and carbon reduction could help to slow global-warming pollution and also provide economic opportunities in Arkansas.
The Bentonville forum was the fourth in a series of 12 events across the state.
Bob Dykes of Siloam Springs attended the meeting after an advertisement peaked his curiosity. Dykes said he will try to take some of what he learned at the forum back to his business, Kitchen and Bath Cabinets.
Most all of my decisions will be based on conservation and playing an active role in that, he said. Well implement whatever we can, I guess, to be globally responsible builders. Energy source is going to be a big player in the next few years, and depending on what we do as a community and a nation is really going to make us or break us.
Dykes was surprised at what he considered a low turnout at the forum.
Approximately 25 people attended the forum, which required a $ 20 registration fee and included lunch.
I thought there would be a lot more people, he said. Youve got to really feel it, I guess feel whats on the horizon.
Gerald Talbert, an agriculture, biomass and climatechange consultant, said the state could take advantage of animal waste and crops both abundant on Arkansas farms to create alternative sources of energy and a stronger economy.
There are opportunities here to do something substantial, he said. It could become a major component in helping us to reduce global warming.
Steven Pollard, property manager and director of sustainable development at Maple Street Apartments in Fayetteville, said planning well for growth in northwest Arkansas could also have an impact on global warming.
We have exploded in growth of population up here, he said, pointing out that projections place the population of Benton and Washington counties at approximately 722, 000 by 2025.
As the population here grows, he said, so will the number of homes and the number of vehicles both major contributors to globalwarming pollution.
(Building more and wider roads ) attracts more traffic and facilitates more urban sprawl, and people will have to drive farther to get to Wal-Mart, he said. It might be the perfect time for a train around here.
The average vehicle releases approximately 13, 000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually, he said, and the average home produces more pollution than the average car.
Pollard said individuals and businesses are slowly becoming more aware of global warming and more willing to make efforts to stop it.
People seem to be waking up, becoming more conscious, he said.
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