Free screenings of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth are planned at UC Davis and at more than 500 other U.S. campuses next week in an effort to launch a national discussion of global warming.

'Fervent crusade'

The UC Davis screening is set for 5:10 p.m. Jan. 30 in 194 Chemistry Building. Faculty, staff, students and others in the community are invited to attend. An Inconvenient Truth is former Vice President Al Gore's "passionate and inspirational look at (his) fervent crusade to halt global warming's deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it," according to the film's Web site.

The campus chapter of the California Student Sustainability Coalition is organizing the screening, and announced that it will be the kickoff event for UC Davis' participation in Focus the Nation, a yearlong project.

Focus the Nation, according to its Web site, is a major educational initiative asking colleges, universities and high schools "to collaboratively engage in a nationwide, interdisciplinary discussion centered around the theme of Global Warming Solutions for America." The project is scheduled to culminate Jan. 31, 2008, in the form of one-day, national symposia held simultaneously on campuses across the country.

"As the event will occur early in the political primary season, it provides an opportunity to engage political candidates from across the country and at all levels of government in campus-based, nonpartisan discussions of climate solutions, creating a national educational dialogue on policy options for the next decade," the Web site declares.

UC Davis organizers said next week's movie presentation will be followed by pizza and brainstorming on how the campus might participate in Focus the Nation.

Truth on Campus, an offshoot of the production company that made An Inconvenient Truth, is providing DVDs and licenses for the free screenings around the country.

At UC Davis, the Office of Resource Management and Planning has joined with the California Student Sustainability Coalition to present the film.

More information

Focus the Nation: www.focusthenation.org.

Truth on Campus: www.truthoncampus.org.