The University of Montana is launching a new Climate Change Studies Program.

A UM forestry professor, who shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work on the issue, is directing the program.

University officials say that over 60 students are already looking into the program which was debuted with presentations from the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate.

(from October 15, 2009)

UM law students discussed climate change Thursday and possible future legislation coming with it.

The audience expected to hear from former Virginia Senator John Warner, but this morning's fog sent his plane back to Denver. Instead, the students watched a recent video interview with the senator and UM Professor Steven Running answered questions.

Both Warner and Running agree energy is a global challenge requiring an energy climate bill that could be hard to pass. Running says the younger generation will be the ones to take on the project.

"People that are in college right now are going to be the leaders that bring the nation and the world out of this. And I'm afraid my generation is too stuck in the way they grew up to really make the big changes needed," said UM Ecologist and Forestry Professor, Steven Running.

Running will speak again tonight as UM launches its new Climate Change Studies Program. It will be the nation's first interdisciplinary undergrad minor in climate change.

-Breanna Roy reporting from KPAX in Missoula