About 60 people fought the cold weather last night to attend a lecture that was led by Jeff Schmidt, director of the Pennsylvania Sierra Club, which was ironically about global warming.

The affair was sponsored jointly by The Penn State Sustainability Coalition, The Penn State Center for Sustainability and The Moshannon Group Sierra Club.

Schmidt, a Penn State graduate, focused most of the event on global warming and sustainability in Pennsylvania.

"Pennsylvania is one of the biggest coal emitting states in the United States. Over 50 percent of Pennsylvania's energy comes from coal," Schmidt said.

Schmidt said that Pennsylvania produces 1 percent of all global warming gases, ranked No. 20 globally in climate change and also has greater greenhouse gases than countries like Belgium and the Netherlands.

Pennsylvania's high production of greenhouse gases could be attributed to its industrial heritage, Schmidt said.

If allowed to continue, individuals will start to notice the effects of global warming, including property damage and the decline in winter recreation and outdoor activities, Schmidt added.

In response to global warming skeptics, Schmidt said current climate models show that the warm and cold trends are becoming undeniable and even politicians are beginning to come to the realization that global warming is a considerably growing problem.

He said the nation has reached an environmental breaking point both socially and politically.

"There have been more environmental advertisements this past election than ever before," Schmidt added.

Laura Silver, adviser to Penn State's sustainability coalition, said that Penn State is doing its part by working on designing, building and then operating a solar house that would eventually be moved to Porter Road.

"It would serve as a research lab for renewable energy," she said.

Pennsylvania is also participating in several programs to make the state more environmentally friendly. The state government established a clean car program for stricter emission standards and the use of hybrid vehicles.

The government has also started a campaign to draw 18 percent of electricity from alternative energy sources and decided to begin smaller versions of the Kyoto Protocol for cities, Schmidt said.

Jonathan Feldman (senior-graphic design) said he was interested in learning more specifics about the global warming research in Pennsylvania.

"I'm starting to realize the importance of the climate crisis," Feldman said.

Schmidt said individuals could help in many different ways by supporting renewable energy, using fluorescent lighting, buying energy efficient electronics and also writing to local leaders.

"The only way we're going to win is if you get involved," Schmidt said.