IU seniors join effort against global warming

The first-ever graduating class of the undergraduate degree program in human biology joined more than a million Americans in yesterday’s National Teach-In on global warming.

The 19 seniors organized IU’s contribution to the national effort to stimulate discussion on the changes our planet is experiencing and the future decisions that will need to be made.

As professor Vicky Meretsky of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs said, climate change affects almost everything.

“In general, it’s to inform about global warming,” said Jessica Brenay, president of the Human Biology Student Government, “but we decided that we kind of wanted to present more of the solution side of it.”

The Teach-In took place in the Georgian Room of the Indiana Memorial Union. In addition to the speakers who presented on a variety of climate change issues, the event included exhibits on recycling and energy conservation, as well as activities that allowed students to estimate their average carbon emissions.

Hosting the Teach-In was part of the senior capstone course, which emphasizes education, engagement and advocacy, said professor Whitney Schlegel, director of the human biology program.

“They’re a really proactive group of students,” Schlegel said. “We really encourage that, and to align what they’re learning in their courses with how they can bring about a positive change in the world.”

The undergraduate program in human biology is new to IU and is one of fewer than 10 such programs in the country. The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive approach to some of the major problems facing humanity today.

“I love the fact that it’s interdisciplinary,” said Dena Kranzberg, a senior in the program. “We’re all going to come out of college so much more well-rounded.”

The program pulls classes from a wide range of departments, including biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and more.

In addition, the human biology major requires a series of four core classes and associated seminars, which employ team- and case-based approaches.

“I have a different way of viewing things than I probably would have just being a biology major,” Brenay agreed.

For the next part of the senior capstone course, the students are teaming up with Bloomington in a watershed protection project that will monitor and mark storm drains in the northern part of the city, which is connected to IU’s watershed.

“We’re connecting the University and city of Bloomington in youthful partnership to protect our waterways,” said Kriste Lindberg, education specialist for the City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department.

Through these and other projects, the human biology program hopes to broaden its appeal to include not just science-focused students, but those interested in policy and government relations as well.

“I think what really makes human biology so strong is the fact that we have all of these different experts from all the different disciplines that come and share their perspectives with one another,” Schlegel said. “That’s really where, in the real world outside of academia, solutions are found.”