Boy Scouts are taught always to be prepared. Sam Hager, an aspiring Eagle Scout, is trying to prepare the world for global warming.

In order to become an Eagle Scout, Sam, 14, must propose a project that meets certain standards. Sam ventured away from the norm when he decided to revolutionize people's ideas about global warming and energy conservation instead of doing a construction project.

"He is very bright so I am not surprised that he chose something like this," Mary Hager, Sam's mother, said. "It kind of suits him."

Sam is in the phase of writing out his project idea, and then he has to get it approved by a committee.

"For my project, I am raising awareness about global climate change and what we can do about it," he said.

After his project is approved, he will have to put his plans into action. He will train a group of volunteers about global warming that will then go around to churches in the community, educating people about global warming and actions that they can take.

Sam offers simple solutions for cutting down on consumption that are easy to do but are often over looked. He suggests cutting down on driving by walking or biking, turning down a thermostat a few degrees, using compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of normal light bulbs, turning off the heat and dry cycle on a dishwasher and reusing water bottles.

On Thursday and Friday, the University of Mary will be hosting the Prairie Climate Stewardship Conference. Sam will be speaking about his project and how younger people can help.

"It is going to be definitely like my Eagle Scout project, but will be more about engaging youth," Sam said.

Registration for the conference will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday. The conference is open to the public.

This project is Sam's first step to becoming an Eagle Scout. He will have to earn other badges and merits in order to become a full Eagle Scout.

(Kay Kemmet can be reached at kay.kemmet@;bismarcktribune.com.)