By By Katie Curren, News Correspondent

‘ As part of their ongoing Meet the Author series, Northeastern’ University Libraries hosted Robert Musil, author of ‘Hope for a Heated Planet: How Americans are Fighting Global Warming and Building a Better Future’ in Snell Library Wednesday.
Musil’s book outlines the ways that global warming can be combated using grassroots methods and tries to prove it is not too late to save the planet from its effects. About 30 people gathered during activities period yesterday to hear Musil read from his book and speak on the concept that has garnered much attention:’ ‘ hope.
‘He’s a glass half-full kind of person,’ said Susan Shaer, executive director of Women’s Actions for New Directions, who introduced the author.
Shaer has worked closely with Musil for several years on nuclear disarmament and environmental issues. Musil, a scholar-in-residence and adjunct professor at American University in Washington, DC, began with what compelled him to write ‘Hope for a Heated Planet.’
‘This book is an act of faith and symbolizes hope,’ he read from the introduction. ‘You and I are betting that there is a future. We believe that ideas and people matter. I believe that books can change people’s lives.’
After reading from the segment, Musil said he felt that writing it was important.
‘Part of the point of the whole book … is realistic, hard-boiled hope,’ he said.
Musil addressed three of the main concerns he said people have:’ Can we find renewable energy, can we afford it and will it create jobs?
A study done by the European Climate and Energy Coalition showed that the world could be powered six times over with just solar energy, Musil said. Another study found that for $6.8 billion, global carbon emissions can be reduced by 70 percent by 2020, a modest sum, Musil said.
‘On a global scale, that’s not a lot of money,’ Musil said.
Musil referred to President Barack Obama’s speech Tuesday, arguing that the stimulus bill alone would create close to 1 million jobs, and looked at the increase in renewable energy as a positive turn.
‘There’s a steep upward curve in renewable energy, which means we are approaching a tipping point,’ he said. ‘You only hear about what will happen if we don’t do anything. You don’t hear about the tipping point in renewables.’
Musil pointed out that the issue of global warming has been around for decades, with research beginning as early as the ’60s.
‘The question is why did it take so long, and why is it now?’ Musil said.
One reason, he argued, are the studies now taking place. Many of them take the mid-range approach and don’t include companies that are not at the industrial level, nor do they include technology that is in the development process and has yet to be released in the mainstream.
He urged the room to get involved in organizations that promote climate change initiatives and to appeal to representatives at local and national levels.
The Sierra Club, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that Musil occasionally works with, and local citizens helped to galvanize their governments. As a result 909 mayors have signed climate protection agreements.
Further driving home his point, Musil asked the audience to guess on the number of students rallying in Washington, DC during the weekend as part of Power Shift 09, a rally to hold elected officials accountable for energy policy. The answer:’ 10,000.
‘This is the stuff that you don’t get to see on television that helps and moves things along,’ he said.
Jen Duguay, a freshman music industry major, said she felt motivated after the lecture.
‘I think it was interesting and inspiring. It makes you want to get involved,’ she said. ‘I was very attracted to the word ‘hope.”