Joining more than 1,000 institutions across the country, the Colgate community dedicated Jan. 31 to Focus the Nation, a national teach-in on global warming solutions for America. Discussions, workshops, and film screenings were part of the campuswide effort, organized by a team of 30 students and faculty members, resulting in a jam-packed schedule of events that contributed to the university's exploration of environmental issues.

Some environmental tips and advice from panelists throughout the day:

- Monitor how much you drive

- Use less heat in your home by turning down the thermostat and making sure your house is properly insulated

- Don't let faucets run unnecessarily

- Change regular lightbulbs to compact fluorescent lightbulbs

- Turn off lights when leaving a room

- Educate yourself about what is recyclable in your area and recycle

- Plant a vegetable garden and buy locally grown food

- Whether it's your refrigerator, your car, or your house, downsize to what's needed, not what's trendy

- Don't hesitate to let politicians know the importance of environmental issues