Michigan Tech's World Water Day moves online

The artwork "Pathways for Reducing Emissions" by Alisa Singer, an artistic rendering of a graph that shows possible pathways to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to limit global mean temperature rise in the post-industrial era to not more than 2°C (3.6°F) -- the stated goal of the countries signing the Paris Agreement. This image is part the virtual exhibit Environmental Graphiti. (Image courtesy Michigan Tech University)

By Kelley Christensen*
Posted March 19, 2020, on Michigan Tech News
Reprinted with permission

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech will celebrate World Water Day March 23 - 24 with speakers, an art exhibit, and a poster competition -- virtually.

Just a week after moving instruction online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester, Michigan Technological University will celebrate World Water Day in the same fashion.

World Water Day is a United Nations event celebrated annually to raise awareness of how important the stewardship of water is for humanity and other creatures. 2020 marks the 12th year Michigan Tech has joined in the celebration.

Keynote Speaker: Joellen Russell

Watch Joellen Russell’s World Water Day keynote address via Zoom: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/981199790

Keynote speaker Joellen Russell is using robot floats and supercomputers to measure the ocean and predict future climate. She will deliver the World Water Day keynote address via Zoom from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Russell is the Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Integrative Science and a professor of geosciences, planetary science, hydrology and atmospheric sciences and applied math at the University of Arizona. Russell’s address will be recorded so those unable to make the live event can watch it later.

Youth Speaker: Sophia Kianni

Watch Sophia Kianni’s World Water Day youth address via Zoom: https://michigantech.zoom.us/j/885172643

Youth speaker Sophia Kianni will give her address about climate advocacy and her experiences as a youth leader by Zoom from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24. Kianni is a youth climate activist based in Washington, D.C., working nationally with Fridays for Future USA and This is Zero Hour and internationally with Extinction Rebellion. Kianni’s address will also be recorded for those unable to make the live event.

Student Poster Competition

The virtual student poster competition is from noon to 2 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Participants will present their posters and judges will offer their feedback through Zoom. At this time 23 students are signed up to present posters. Students will be awarded cash prizes in the following categories: original research, coursework/informational, and a people’s choice award.

Finally, each World Water Day celebration features an art show. The World Water Day 2020 art show features Environmental Graphiti -- a series of digital paintings by Alisa Singer. Singer’s works were created to enhance public awareness of the science of climate change. Each of the 23 works of art is derived from a chart, graph, map, word or number relating to a key fact about climate change. Use the interactive campus map to take a virtual tour of the exhibit.

* Guest writer Kelley Christensen is Science and Technology Publications Writer, Michigan Tech University Marketing and Communications.

Insert photos: Joellen Russell and Sophia Kianni. (Photos courtesy Michigan Tech University)

Campus-wide and Virtual Exhibit: The Art of Climate Change continues from March 16 to May 15

CLIMATE MODELS ACCURACY OVER TIME, by Alisa Singer. Digital Art on Metal 35.1" W X 24.8" H. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center)

By Michigan Tech's Great Lakes Research Center

The work of Chicago-based artist Alisa Singer, Environmental Graphiti, is a series of digital paintings created to enhance public awareness of the science of climate change. Each of the artworks is derived from a chart, graph, map, word or number relating to key facts about climate change. Michigan Tech’s exhibit includes 23 pieces displayed at 10 locations across campus and virtually via the interactive campus map.

Environmental Graphiti exhibit sponsors include the Great Lakes Research Center; the Institute for Policy, Ethics and Culture; University Marketing and Communications; the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Biological Sciences, Visual and Performing Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Geological and Mining Engineering and Science; College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science; J.R. Van Pelt and John and Ruanne Opie Library; and the Rosza Center for Performing Arts. The exhibit runs through May 15.

Each piece in the campus exhibit is available for purchase. Proceeds will support student seed research grants to be announced in fall 2020. To purchase artwork, contact glrcinfo@mtu.edu. Artwork sales are subject to Michigan Sales Tax.

Click here for the virtual exhibit, Environmental Graphiti.

The Environmental Graphiti exhibit is one activity planned for the University’s annual World Water Day celebration. Other World Water Day activities are being moved to virtual delivery platforms. Updates and details will be posted on the Great Lakes Research Center’s World Water Day Events website.

AG Nessel issues statement following Governor Whitmer's Executive Order temporarily stopping dine-in services at food, beverage establishments

LANSING -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following statement in support of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order calling for a temporary shutdown of dine-in service at food and beverage establishments (and limiting restaurants to carry-out).

"My thoughts today are with the workers and businesses in our food and hospitality industries. It is heartbreaking that an industry built on service to others must be shut down to help protect and keep safe the families they call their customers and friends. In an effort to help them through this difficult and unexpected shutdown, I am asking our partners in the state and federal legislature to look for ways to help alleviate the financial impact of this shutdown. The Governor’s order was necessary and appropriate in light of the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves and we will be working with our state, county and local law enforcement partners to enforce the order. I am proud of the tens of thousands of businesses and hundreds of thousands of workers who recognize the gravity of this situation and are responding quickly and without hesitation. We owe them our gratitude and support."

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-9: Temporary restrictions on the use of places of public accommodation also includes temporarily closing cinemas, and indoor and outdoor performance venues, libraries, museums, gymnasiums, fitness centers, recreation centers, indoor sports facilities, indoor exercise facilities, exercise studios, spas, and casinos licensed by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The closings are to begin as soon as possible but no later than 3 p.m. TODAY, Monday, March 16, 2020, and to continue until 11:59 p.m. March 30, 2020. Click here for the full Executive Order.

Information around the COVID-19 outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available online at a state website focused on the issue, and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Inset photo: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. (Photo courtesy michigan.gov)