FARMINGTON – “It’s a challenge but this country has taken big challenges before,” said Beth Nagusky in her presentation on global warming Thursday at the University of Maine at Farmington.

An 80-percent reduction of carbon emissions by mid-century can be achieved, she said, “if you and I engage it and put pressure on our elected officials to hear us and take the bold action needed to solve this issue.”

Nagusky, climate director for GrowSmart Maine, was the key speaker here at a two-day, nationwide teach-in on global warming. UMF joined over 1,000 universities, colleges and grade schools for “Focus the Nation” events held Wednesday and Thursday.

Speaking to a packed auditorium of college students and residents, Nagusky, who was trained by Al Gore, presented the “nightmare” facing the planet as well as the “I have a dream” of attainable solutions.

To leave a lower carbon footprint, she encouraged the audience to take simple steps such as changing incandescent light bulbs to more energy-saving, compact fluorescent bulbs and driving with a “lighter foot.” A decrease of speed by just 5 miles per hour saves gas, she said. Weatherizing homes, turning down thermostats and turning off electronic devices when not in use were also suggested.

Driving less would also help, Nagusky added. Within Maine, the number of miles driven from 1980 to 2000 has increased 90 percent. Living in more compact neighborhoods in urban settings that are closer to work would help reduce driving.

“We have the technology and know how, but do we have the political will?” she asked her audience.

UMF President Theodora Kalikow opened the session and encouraged action during this election year. She also read a portion of a letter from U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, about global warming legislation coming before Congress this spring.

The United States is the largest contributor of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming, Nagusky said. She compared the damage to the earth’s atmosphere to taking an orange and covering it with a layer of varnish. The carbon created from the use of fossil fuels has thickened the layer, trapping gases and creating higher temperatures.

Global warming can lead to major storms, loss of coral reefs, melting glaciers and rising tides, she said. Of particular concern in Maine are the impacts of climate change on forest and fishing economies, the damage caused by larger storms and the chance of more disease.

Activities and tours were offered all day Thursday in the Education Center, an environmentally-friendly “green” building, and were organized by the Sustainable Campus Coalition. The group includes students, teachers and staff who have joined in activities to promote conservation and education, said Alli Giguere, a UMF senior and group member.

Along with organizing this week’s events, the group has promoted “recycle mania” on campus and plans a “bike to class/work” day in the spring. It’s also involved in salvaging items that students discard when they leave campus in May. The items can be used by other organizations and help reduce waste, she said.

Several community members joined UMF students and teachers for “The 2 percent Solution” Wednesday night. Technical difficulties prevented a Web cast from Stanford University, but those attending had their own discussion about the proposal to cut carbon emissions by 2 percent for the next 40 years, she said.