Several Rhode Island universities are taking part in the national campaign “Focus the Nation” this week to show students that theirs is the generation that will be primarily responsible for slowing climate change and also the one that will shoulder the consequences of failure.

The University of Rhode Island, Brown University, Johnson & Wales University, Salve Regina University and Providence College have all pledged to hold activities such as hosting the national screening of “The Two Percent Solution,” a live interactive informational video, on Wednesday night, and to ask professors to integrate climate change issues in their classes.

America’s future decision-makers must be fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead, said URI Prof. Fred Meyerson, who is leading the local efforts along with the student environmental group Student Action for Sustainability.

“This is a critical issue for the future of the planet and their [students’] personal future,” Meyerson said. “It’s complicated and they need to understand — the problem and solution runs through all human activity.”

At URI, he said, more than 20 professors have agreed to address, during their classes, climate change and how it relates to their respective disciplines.

“Two Percent ” discusses ways to cut 2 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions annually to achieve the 80 percent reduction by 2050 that scientists have recommended.

Meyerson, an assistant professor of demography, ecology and environmental policy, said as many as 3,000 students there will hear a global warming-themed lecture or lesson on Thursday, which is the day of the Focus the Nation national teach-in.

At Brown, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse will speak at noon today on the topic of combating climate change, in the first of several activities spanning over the week, including a tree blessing ceremony, a panel discussion on corporate responsibility and a “green fair,” in addition to the video and teach-in.

Nationwide, more than 1,600 institutions have signed up to participate, according to the Focus the Nation Web site.

Focus the Nation, comprising some of the nation’s leaders on environmental issues, is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to engaging educators and the public in developing solutions to global warming.

Roger Williams University and Bryant University were also listed as Focus participants, but a posted schedule of events at those schools could not be found.

ngarcia@projo.com