The topic of this semester’s Griffin Policy Forum may spark a heated discussion at 7:30 p.m. April 9 in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.

The forum, titled “Can Climate Change Heat Up Michigan’s Economy?,” will feature environmental experts from around the state.

Michigan’s involvement in business of alternative energy provides an opportunity for the state to diversify the economy, said Griffin Endowed Chair Gary Peters, who organized the event.

“Climate change is creating significant challenges to the environment, but is also making opportunities for the state,” Peters said. “Michigan could be the center of the world’s wind turbine technology and wave technology.”

Panelists include Jon Allan, manager of Consumers Energy’s environmental and laboratory services; Lana Pollack, president of the Michigan Environmental Council; Jim Croce, chief executive officer of NextEnergy; and Michael E. Witt, program director of Energy & Climate Change for Dow Chemical Co.

Steven E. Chester, director of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, will moderate.

Thomas Rohrer, director of CMU’s environmental studies program, said Michigan has the potential to get involved in renewable energy.

“We have sufficient capacity to develop via wind power,” he said.

Wind turbines turn slowly to generate electricity by power of the wind, and are used widely throughout Scandinavia, he said.

Rohrer said the topic is important and timely.

“I’m pleased to see it’s the subject of this year’s Griffin Forum,” he said.

The announcement of the forum’s topic comes after Gov. Jennifer Granholm discussed alternative energy as a way to get Michigan out of a recession in last month’s State of the State Address.

Pollack said the economic future of Michigan is highly correlated to the state’s energy policies, especially for students.

“If we want to attract new manufacturing, we need to send a signal that we’re a state that is committed to clean energy and energy efficiency,” she said. “If we stick with the old ways, we’ll lose. If we go with the new ways, we’ll win environmentally and economically.”

news@cm-life.com

E-mail the author: defaultuser