On the evening of September 10, students and the general public alike funneled into the Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University for “Climate Change: A Panel Discussion.” Why would an art museum host a discussion of science? The display “Frozen Earth: Images from the Arctic Circle” inspired the talk, and Laura Petrovich-Cheney arranged for award-winning environmental activists to do the talking.

As the gallery grew crowded and the windows sweated condensation, an event coordinator joked that the broken air conditioner would simulate the conditions of global warming. Then, the room quieted and the dialogue opened with a short introduction by Diane Burko, a landscape artist whose work incorporates the effects of a warming climate. She thanked the audience for coming, and set the tone for a thought-provoking discourse.

Each panelist proceeded to wedge a unique presentation on global warming into the space of 10 minutes. Dr. Jeff Niemitz displayed a series of graphs depicting rising sea levels which, for coastal cities especially (ahem, much of New Jersey) could be devastating. Michael Lemonick discussed articles he has published in TIME magazine dealing with the greenhouse effect. Next was Amy Lipton, who presented a slideshow of artwork from the organization Eco Art Space, and spoke of its mission to promote awareness and create solutions. Former reporter for The New York Times Andrew Revkin brought the issue to life with a video of Arctic ice shifting, creaking, and melting during his visit to the North Pole. The discussion wrapped up with Aaron T. O’Connor, director of a program that sends artists into the Arctic aboard a sailing ship. He emphasized the importance of cooperation in striving towards a cleaner planet, not only among professionals in different fields of study, but also between community members.

The speakers spent an additional 40 minutes or so answering questions, comments, and above all, concerns. I left feeling certain that I would never look at the ocean quite the same way again.