WHEELING — The Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling is launching a new, five-part People’s University series about climate change, but not one focused on doom and gloom. Instead, the series will consider the science of climate change, the existential threat it poses, a wakeup call about how much time we really have, and the truth about hope for the future, if we find a way to work together.

The series, which kicks off Thursday, Aug. 10, is inspired by the 2023 Wheeling Reads: One Book, One Community initiative, which includes a season of programming and events based on author Jennifer Haigh’s novel, “Heat and Light.”

Wheeling Reads, in partnership with the Writers Association of Northern Appalachia (WANA) and West Virginia Writers Inc., with funding provided by the Wheeling Arts and Cultural Commission, encourages Ohio Valley residents to read Haigh’s book, which tells the story of a western Pennsylvania coal town that finds new life and hardship when a fracking company begins operations. Over the summer, the library will host events, lectures and discussions (such as the People’s University, Climate Change) on issues surrounding the book, including climate change, environmental justice and hope for the future.

The Wheeling Reads initiative also includes art and writing contests.

The season’s programming will culminate at the Wheeling Reads Festival on Sept. 9, at which Haigh will be the guest speaker at the library.

Meanwhile, the People’s University Climate Change series begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, with Class 1, “Earth’s changing climate: Causes, consequences and challenges.”

Society won’t know what to do about climate change if people don’t understand what’s going on. So, this presentation will summarize: 1) how Earth controls its temperature; 2) why Earth’s climate can be temperamental; 3) how we know Mother Earth is running a fever; 4) why human actions are making her ill; and 5) the path towards recovery and the obstacles in our way. In addition to summarizing fundamental information about climate change, some trusted voices and reliable sources of information on this topic will be introduced.

The instructor will be Dr. William Peterjohn, professor, Department of Biology, West Virginia University.

At 7 p.m. on Aug. 17, Class 2 poses the question: “Will forests continue to slow climate change in the future?”

Forests are one of the best ecosystems at taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and locking it away for long periods of time. Without this vital ecosystem service, climate change would progress at a much faster pace. However, forest productivity and health may be threatened or enhanced by changes in future climate. In this class, the group will discuss how forests store carbon dioxide and how their ability to continue doing so is altered by elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, warming and drought.

The instructor for this course will be Joanna Ridgeway, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Biology, WVU.

On Aug. 24 at 7 p.m., Class 3 will focus on “Harnessing nature to slow climate change.”

There is a growing movement to manage natural ecosystems to enhance their ability to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. Proposed efforts include improved forest management, using agriculture crops for bioenergy, and wetland restoration. West Virginia has the opportunity to be a leader in natural climate solutions, particularly given that it is more than 75 percent forested. In this class, the group will examine existing efforts and technologies that can be employed to slow climate change and the potential for West Virginia to take a leading role in this effort.

The instructor will be Dr. Eddie Brzostek, associate professor, Department of Biology, WVU.

At 7 p.m. on Aug. 31, Class 4 will examine “The long slow march of progress toward a greener future for West Virginia.”

Extractive industries have a long history in West Virginia that has shaped the economy and culture of the state while leaving scars on the landscape. Despite the serious environmental issues faced in West Virginia, there is good reason to be optimistic. This presentation will describe how stewardship of the environment and natural resources has improved over the past few decades and reasons to be optimistic about the future.

Dr. Ember Morrissey, associate professor of Environmental Microbiology at WVU, will instruct this course.

On Sept. 7, at 7 p.m., Class 5 will give: “Reasons for Hope — Generation Z Takes Action.”

This class features 11-year-old Zane Murray of Wheeling, who met with and interviewed attorney Rob Bilott at his law office in Covington, Kentucky, in December 2022 for a school project on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Murray was haunted by the dangers of these man-made chemicals, which are linked to cancer and other diseases, after he watched the film “Dark Waters” depicting Bilott’s work to hold industry accountable for PFAS pollution.

Murray went on to win the U.S. History first-place award for a project he presented at Steenrod Elementary School at an Ohio County Schools social studies fair and second place in the state, but he did not stop there. He wrote more than 140 letters urging action on PFAS to state and federal lawmakers.

During this presentation, Murray will be joined by Bilott, who will Zoom in to appear at the program and speak with him about their work and about hope for the future. This promises to be an inspirational session.

Brzostek will return to present this course.

ABOUT THE

PRESENTERS

The research by Brzostek uses experiments and observations to examine how forests and agroecosystems store carbon. He uses this information to develop mathematical models that predict the response of carbon storage in these systems to future climate change. He received his B.A. in Earth Science from Boston University in 2003 prior to completing his doctoral degree in Biology at Boston University in 2012.

Morrissey’s research focuses on soil microbial ecology, sustainable agriculture, environmental science, soil carbon sequestration and global change ecology. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland in 2007 prior to completing her doctoral degree in Integrative Life Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014.

During Peterjohn’s 40-plus-year career as an ecosystem ecologist, his research has focused on the interface between terrestrial nutrient cycles and human-caused changes in the environment. He received a B.S. in Mathematics and Biology from Baldwin-Wallace College in 1979, a Masters of Environmental Science (M.En) from Miami University in 1982 and a Ph.D. from Duke University in 1990. Prior to arriving at WVU, he worked for the Environmental Protection Agency (one summer), the Smithsonian Institution and the Ecosystem Center in Woods Hole, Mass.

During his career he has conducted research in agroecosystems, deserts and the forests of West Virginia.

Ridgeway is a PhD candidate working with Brzostek in the Department of Biology at WVU. Her research focuses on how managed and unmanaged ecosystems sequester carbon and help combat climate change. She received her B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from West Virginia University and will be completing her doctoral degree in Biology at West Virginia University in fall of 2023.

The People’s University is a free program for adults who wish to continue their education in the liberal arts. It features courses — taught by experts in each subject — that enable patrons to pursue their goal of lifelong learning in classic subjects such as history, philosophy and literature. Patrons may attend as many classes as they wish. There are no tests or other requirements, and all programs are free and open to the public.

In 1951, the Ohio County Public Library’s head librarian, Virginia Ebeling, referenced British historian Thomas Carlyle, who said, “the public library is a People’s University,” when she initiated a new adult education program with that name. Ebeling charged the library with the responsibility of reaching “as many people in the community as possible.” In keeping with that tradition of public libraries as sanctuaries of free learning for all people, the Ohio County Public Library revived the series in 2010.

For more information about the People’s University Climate Change or other library programs, call 304-232-0244 or stop by the Reference Desk.