The Earth has grown warmer, snow cover has decreased, sea levels have risen and the world has seen an increase in both droughts and flooding.

        “Most of the change over the past 50 years is attributable to human activities,” said Seth Dunn, a research associate at Worldwatch Institute, a Washington D.C.-based research organization dedicated to environmental and energy issues.

        Mr. Dunn spoke Sunday at the first in a series of programs on global climate change sponsored by the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County and the Tri-State Environmental Resource Center.

        More than 50 people attended the lecture at the library downtown. Mr. Dunn talked about the “human fingerprint” that identifies the culprit to global warming and suggested that we can all help reduce its effect by “aggressively reducing greenhouse gas emissions” caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

        It was a theme that struck a responsive chord among some of those who attended and asked what could they do as individuals about it.

        “How can we as consumers encourage (utilities) to move away from using coal?” asked Carol Nantz, of Clifton. Part of the answer might be in choosing among power providers, said Mr. Dunn.

        Mr. Dunn said that while many of his talks are before university audiences, these more public forums are encouraging. Especially when he can deliver a message that involves putting pressure on local governments to cut emissions, whether with better public transportation, or new buildings that are more energy-efficient.

        Tri-State Environmental Resource is a nonprofit organization that collects data on the environment, sponsors programs and helps provide information for environmental educators.

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