Two environmental experts representing the major party presidential candidates will debate about key campaign issues at noon Saturday.
The forum is part of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference, held at the Kellogg Center.
Jay Letto, national conference manager for the SEJ, recognizes the importance the debate holds.
“I’m looking forward to the debate session,” he said. “It is so timely, especially considering its potential influence to the (upcoming) election.”
The debate between Vice President Al Gore’s adviser Kathleen McGinty and Texas Gov. George W. Bush’s adviser Christopher DeMuth, will be the only such forum during the election.
The SEJ conference, in its 10th year, is being held at MSU for the first time. The conference, which began Thursday, hosts various field trips, forums and lectures aimed at students and journalists in environmental reporting.
“A lot of journalists come to town (for the conference),” Letto said. “I hope (participants) will get a flavor of the Great Lakes and the automotive industry, and learn about other Midwest issues.”
Letto said about 500 people are slated to attend.
“The biggest thing (we hope to accomplish) is to have a large turnout and that (participants) come out with a lot of information,” said Barb Miller, assistant to Jim Detjen, Knight Chair of Environmental Journalism at MSU.
The conference is in East Lansing because Detjen, a past SEJ president, placed a bid and promoted the university, Miller said.
Another important session includes the chiefs of the U.S. and Canadian forest services discussing forestry issues. The forum is today at 12:30 p.m.
This will allow Canadian and U.S. journalists to discuss mutual environmental concerns.
David Poulson, an environmental reporter for Booth Newspapers, said the conference will benefit those who attend.
“Because this is a journalism event, you’re not going to get one perspective.” Poulson said. “(Attendees) will come to realize that the issues are complicated, and are complicated to report.”
Rachel Wright can be reached at wrightr9@msu.edu.
