Focus the Nation organizers at UC Davis will treat the public to entertainment, games and giveaways on Thursday, Jan. 31, at the "Global Warming Solutions for America Idea Fair."

The Idea Fair is a highlight of Focus the Nation activities on the campus, which is one of thousands of universities, schools and civic organizations participating in this daylong teach-in on climate change solutions.

"Our Focus the Nation planning team has put together an impressive array of speakers and activities to inspire and inform the campus community about global warming solutions," said Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "I encourage everyone to participate in this event and to consider how, in ways big and small, our actions today will profoundly affect the future."

The Idea Fair is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Freeborn Hall.

Those attending can:

• Play Climate Change Jeopardy for prizes;
• Get a one-of-a-kind designer reusable shopping bag created from donated fabrics — or fabrics you bring — by UC Davis fashion design students;
• Watch a cooking demonstration on how to prepare locally grown, sustainable food, by campus culinary experts;
• Spin a Wheel to learn how to "Spare the Air," with graduate students from air quality training programs:
• Learn how to use plants to cool your home, save energy and support pollination during the honeybee crisis, with UC Davis Arboretum staff members;
• Sign up for guided tours to campus "green spots";
• See a human-powered "pedal desk" that powers laptop computers without plugging in, constructed by UC Davis students;
• Discover how to go solar and what the latest trends are in green building;
• Learn about the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center's living laboratory;
• Learn how to eliminate disposal waste at catered events, with R4 Recycling Program staff; and
• Watch sustainable performances during the zero-waste "green bag" lunch, by campus and community artists.

In addition to the Idea Fair, there is a full day of other activities on campus, too. They include:

• Guided tours to campus "green spots," such as the Bovine Biobubbles, Biogas Energy Project, and California Lighting Technology Center (sign-ups begin at 9 a.m. at the Tour Desk in Freeborn Hall);
• Tercero Student Housing Dining Hall — a food service that has been zero-waste for almost a year;
• Casa Verde Designs display — a Davis firm that teaches green building for home and business improvement; and
• The Design Museum's "Greenstop" exhibit.

To take a five-question quiz on global warming solutions, visit ucdavis.edu. For other information on campus efforts on Focus the Nation day, read the special insert in this issue and visit sustainability.ucdavis.edu/focus.

Suanne Klahorst is a writer for the John Muir Institute of the Environment.