While hearing live performances from local bands and mingling with one another, students and members of the Huntington community will focus on solutions for global warming Thursday at an event called Save the Ales.
The Sierra Student Coalition, formerly Marshall Action for Peaceful Solutions, sponsors the event.
Community co-ed fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and the Young Democrats assisted in organizing Save the Ales.
Save the Ales raises awareness about global warming and its effect on beer production and consequently the prices of beer, said sophomore Heather Sprouse, leader of the campus' Sierra Student Coalition.
"This is one way to connect with how students are being affected," Sprouse said.
Global warming affects the growth of hops, the main ingredient in beer. As temperatures rise higher, hops grow less. When hops grow less, beer prices rise, Sprouse said.
A six-pack of imported beer usually costs $7 to $10 but could cost as much as $14 because of the decline in hops growth, Sprouse said.
"If you don't want beer prices to rise, you should help stop global warming," said freshman Eric Falquero, member of the Sierra Student Coalition.
At Save the Ales, members of the Sierra Student Coalition will make statements about the issue throughout the evening.
Global warming's effect on the growth of hops will not be the only topic of discussion Thursday evening, Sprouse said.
Students will also discuss energy efficiency of buildings on campus, working toward LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification.
Kim Teplitzky, regional organizer for the Sierra Student Coalition, said if Marshall gained LEED certification, it would make the university a leader in the state.
Besides working toward LEED certification, students will also discuss how to change the energy usage in the campus' carts from diesel fuel to electricity and the student-led garden in the campus greenhouse.
The bands I'm with Curtis and The Big Fun Band feature Marshall students.
"It's a party," Sprouse said.
Besides raising awareness about global warming, Save the Ales is also a recruitment technique, Falquero said.
Falquero said he is active in the movement to stop global warming, not just for himself, but for future generations.
"I'd like to leave the environment as good as it is for me, if not better, when I am no longer here," Falquero said.
Save the Ales will be at the Java Joint Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m.
Ashley Deem can be contacted at deem11@marshall.edu.
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