Focus the Nation (FTN) is a nationwide initiative focused on climate change organized by Lewis and Clark College Economics professor, Dr. Eban Goodstein. On January 31st, as part of a special FTN day, more than 1,900 colleges, universities, K-12 schools, faith and civic organizations gathered to generate dialogue and discuss actions around climate change issues. As part of our commitment to making climate change a priority, Nike is a key sponsor of Focus the Nation.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Goodstein said movements like Focus the Nation can have a powerful impact.

"If you go back to 1960, most Americans felt that segregation was wrong, but they were fatalistic about it,” Goodstein said. “But now, 40 years later, Barack Obama is a serious contender for the presidency. And 40 years from now, when our young people have finished the job of rewiring the planet, they will look back and say that 2008 was the year Americans woke up,” he said.

Democratic Senator and presidential hopeful Barack Obama (Ill.) and Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger were among 75 members of Congress and governors who supported the special FTN efforts. In a letter to Focus the Nation, Schwarzenneger wrote, “I was excited to learn that hundreds of California colleges, universities, K-12 schools and organizations are participating in Focus the Nation… I want to thank all of the participants, supporters and organizers of Focus the Nation for creating this wonderful opportunity.”

Learn more about Nike’s involvement with Focus the Nation, and other events around the country.

Nike continued the dialogue by hosting a Focus the Nation event at Nike WHQ on February 29th, 2008. Employees participated in a panel discussion with Focus the Nation's team that's leading the charge to tackle the climate change issue in Oregon.