Environmental responsibility is the theme of this year's week-long Bellarmine Forum, Oct. 29-Nov. 3 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

"Earth to You: Do Something. Now." will feature leading environmentalists and environmental groups giving talks and participating in panel discussions and film screenings about the world's environmental crisis and actions that make a difference. The effects of environmental degradation on poor communities will be highlighted. The events are free and open to the public.

"The Catholic Church has a long history of raising important questions of justice and the common good," said Dr. Scott Cameron, one of the forum coordinators and an associate professor of philosophy. "Over the last 20 years, it has become clearer that issues of justice are very much connected with the environmental issue."

Jean Michel Cousteau, son of oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and founder of Ocean Futures Society, will give an overview of the earth's condition Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. That evening at 7: 30 p.m. Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, the first major retail company to switch to organic clothing, will talk to entrepreneurs about his success in operating a pioneering, eco-friendly and profitable company.

On Nov. 1 at 7:15 p.m., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chief prosecuting attorney for Riverkeeper, an organization that safeguards the ecological integrity of the Hudson River, and Laurie David, Hollywood producer and founder of Stop Global Warming, will discuss their work.

The Oct. 29 kick-off event is a Missa Gaia (Earth Mass), 8 p.m. at the Sacred Heart Chapel with Jesuit Father John Coleman presiding. The contemporary liturgy celebrates the whole earth as a sacred space by integrating recorded sounds such as the calls of wolves, whales, eagles and seals.

Talks on Oct. 31 will focus on how various religious traditions are raising global consciousness of the need to restore and care for the environment. On Nov. 2 the forum will focus on environmental issues that affect Los Angeles specifically such as air quality, traffic, water and waste water. The last day of the symposium Nov. 3 will feature ways to take action.

"Although none of us can do a huge amount, if all of us do a little we can make a real impact of the shape of the planet," said Cameron.

Throughout the week environmental films will be screened, including the recently released documentary "An Inconvenient Truth" featuring the science of global warning narrated by Al Gore on Nov. 3.

The week-long interdisciplinary symposium is the sixth Bellarmine Forum organized by LMU's Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts. For a complete schedule, see www.lmu.edu/bellarmineforum. Reservations are encouraged for the Kennedy and Chouinard talks due to limited seating. Call the Office of the Dean of Liberal Arts at (310) 338-2716.