Katy Park, Craig Stacey, and ninth-grade English teacher Chris Jones support Helen Kilian and Will Blackwell’s project to reduce each person’s carbon footprint. (Photo by Laura Zupancic)

Bromfield junior Helen Kilian caught the attention of Deborah Pierce’s biology class late last month when she showed a slide predicting that the Massachusetts climate will resemble South Carolina’s by 2070, if the world does not reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. Based on a study of the effect of climate change on the Northeast by the Union of Concerned Scientists, the slide also showed that, even under a reduced emissions scenario, Massachusetts’ future climate might resemble that of Maryland.

Kilian said that when she heard about a college initiative called Focus the Nation taking place Jan. 31 on campuses across the country, she wanted a way to bring the teach-in event to Bromfield. With the support of Pierce and school Principal Jim O’Shea, Kilian and a few fellow students asked their science and social studies teachers to incorporate climate change information in the day’s curriculum.

At lunchtime, Kilian put “Choose Your Future” fliers on the cafeteria’s tables. Each flier described five possible CO2 emissions-reducing actions. As they left the lunchroom, students had an opportunity to commit to an action by dropping a bean into one of five jars. A bean count later showed that the most popular actions students chose were unplugging electronics when not in use, particularly cell phone and iPod chargers, and smart driving—staying under the speed limit and avoiding unnecessary idling. Other choices included buying less bottled water, replacing conventional light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones, and turning down the thermostat.

For more information on Focus the Nation visit www.focusthenation.org.