Rep. Jerry McNerney, right, D-Pleasanton, answers students' questions at Lodi High School on Thursday. (Amanda Dyer/News-Sentinel)

Congressman McNerney talks to Lodi High about global warming

Rep. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, warned Lodi High School students Thursday about global warming and the growing competitiveness of the world's economy during his first visit to their school.

McNerney made the trip to Lodi High at the request of teachers George Krukis and Greg Wright.

Krukis advises the Science and Engineering Academy at Lodi High and said one of the reasons he invited the congressman to the campus was his background in science and engineering.

McNerney is currently the only member of Congress that holds a doctorate in mathematics, said Andy Stone, McNerney's spokesman.

The congressman spent several minutes cautioning students on the dangers of climate change.

"Global warming is now overtaking us," McNerney said.

If the problem goes unaddressed, he said, the deserts of Southern California could spread into the north. McNerney said the answer to the problem lies partly in more fuel-efficient vehicles.

"That comes from engineering and it comes from hard work," McNerney said.

The congressman also mentioned that the United States will be facing fierce international competition during the next several decades and encouraged students to work hard pursuing the things they enjoy.

If they don't, he warned, Americans could possibly be beaten out by their foreign competitors.

"They want the things we have and they're willing to work as hard as they can to take them away from us," McNerney said. "All I can do is to implore you to work hard and to enjoy yourself."

McNerney fielded several questions from students after his speech and earned himself some applause when he said he'd like to see U.S. troops out of Iraq.

One student asked McNerney who his heroes were. He said Teddy Roosevelt, Isaac Newton and mathematician and physicist James Clerk Maxwell.

However, some of the most interesting questions from students came after Principal Bill Atterberry dismissed the assembly, including what he thinks should be done about Highway 12.

"Clearly we need to put more money into it," said McNerney, who said the details of fixing the road should be left up to local legislators.

Other students, like junior Kyle Trotter, 16, were more concerned about the congressman's comments on global warming.

Trotter asked what would happen if we continued not to do anything about global warming.

"It will disrupt our civilization," McNerney said, noting that since the San Joaquin Valley is just a few feet above sea level, global warming could put many homes under water.

"I like a lot of his points," said Trotter, who also said he held many of the same views as McNerney.

However, junior Shelby Burnett said that while McNerney did answer many questions, they weren't the ones she had been most concerned about.

"They aren't the burning ones that are on the tip of everyone's tongue," she said.

Burnett would have liked to have heard McNerney talk more about abortion issues, the upcoming election and urban sprawl.

Krukis said he's glad that students are forming varying opinions about the congressman's visit.

"I think they got a lot out of it," Krukis said.

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.