UNLV students came together last week and rose to the climate challenge during a national week of action.

The week of action was organized by the Campus Climate Challenge, a project of the Energy Action Coalition, which continually unites young people to organize on college campuses and high schools. Their goal was for one hundred percent clean energy policies at their respective schools. The week included more than 570 events covering 49 states, as well as eight Canadian provinces.

Sierra Student Coalition hosted two main events on Jan. 29 and 30, in conjunction with the Roosevelt Institution, CSUN, Student Involvement and Activities and the environmental studies department.

The Carbon Neutrality Panel Discussion on Jan. 29 consisted of five panelists from various sectors of Las Vegas.

“This is not about saving the Earth -- the Earth will be here -- it is about saving ourselves,” said panelist Charles Benjamin of Western Resource Advocates. The panelists answered questions about carbon neutrality (related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and discussed the causes of excess carbon dioxide (cars, buildings, hefty meat diet, etc.).

They also provided tips on reducing one’s “carbon footprint.” Steps such as replacing regular incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, adjusting the thermostat to save energy, and taking a more active role in the political process to elect politicians that care about the issues were suggested.

“Renewable energy may be expensive, but we are already paying huge costs,” said panalist and GreenDream Enterprises President Steve Rypka,

“An Inconvenient Truth,” the Oscar-nominated film and acclaimed documentary featuring former Vice-President Al Gore, highlighted the week Tuesday night. High attendance was expected, and 150 people watched the film and attended the discussion that followed.

UNLV professors Peter Starkweather and Stanley Smith from the Department of Biological Sciences and David Hassenzahl of the Environmental Studies Department discussed the issues raised in the film, and gave attendees the opportunity to take action on campus and in the local community. At the night’s end, some attendees participated in a photo petition. The photos, to be sent to congress, depicted students holding messages to their representatives.