On-Demand Keynote Speaker & Panel Videos
OPENING PRESENTATION
Opening Session
Dr. Ben Vinson III
President, Howard University
The president of Howard University opens an Earth Day conference, emphasizing the importance of environmental justice and climate science. They discuss the 'Howard Way' of integrating innovative research with environmental justice and the necessity for comprehensive environmental education. The speaker underscores the significance of addressing disparities to maximize the impact of climate science advancements. They also highlight the potential of AI technology in tackling climate change and the importance of collaboration for universities.
PRESENTATION
Scaling Climate Solutions: A Modern Industrial Strategy
Keynote: Sarah Ladislaw
Climate and Energy, National Security Council, The White House
Sarah Ladislaw discusses scaling climate solutions through a modern industrial and innovation strategy. The approach involves strengthening economic and technological capabilities, building resilient supply chains, and maintaining high standards. Her focus is to catalyze action by partners and allies, prioritize climate resilience, and create meaningful jobs. The interconnection between foreign and domestic policy is emphasized, with climate change and clean energy transition at the core.
PRESENTATION
Navigating Climate Policy: A Discussion with IIeana Ros-Lehtinen
Keynote: IIeana Ros-Lehtinen
Senior Advisor, Akin [Member of Congress 1989-2019]
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Capitol Hill insider and senior advisor at Aiken Gump Strauss, Hower and Felt, discusses the importance of climate policy. She emphasizes the need for practical solutions that impact all families and encourages bipartisan collaboration. Ileana also highlights the crucial role of states in developing climate change policies and sees climate action as a unifying force that transcends political divisions.
PRESENTATION
Climate Adaptation: The Urgency, Impact, and Solutions
Keynote: Dina Esposito
Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau for Resilience, Environment, and Food Security (REFS), USAID
Dina Esposito discusses climate adaptation, highlighting the devastating impacts of climate change such as disasters and economic turmoil. She underscores the rising frequency and severity of droughts, especially in the Horn of Africa. The speaker emphasizes the importance of partnerships, locally led solutions, and access to information and innovation. The need for investment in climate resilience, including public and private sector funding, is stressed. The talk concludes with a call for collaboration, innovation, and partnerships.
PRESENTATION
Addressing Climate Change: Brazil's Measures and Global Collaboration
Keynote: Ambassador Maria Viotti
Brazilian Ambassador to the United States
The presentation focuses on climate change, viewing it as both a challenge and an opportunity. It outlines Brazil's strategies to combat climate change, such as battling deforestation and advocating for renewable energy. The emphasis is on Brazil's energy transition plan and its partnership with the US for sustainability. Ambassador Maria Viotti also highlights Brazil's commitment to global climate action and hosting COP 30 and introduces Mission 1.5 for climate solutions.
PRESENTATION
Understanding Climate Change: A Discussion with Anthony Leiserowitz
Keynote: Anthony Leiserowitz
Director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and a Senior Research Scientist, Yale University
Anthony Eli from Yale School of Environment delves into the research conducted by the Yale program on climate change communication. The program's goal is to comprehend global perceptions and responses to climate change, considering psychological, cultural, and political factors. The discussion emphasizes the importance of clear messaging, education, and immediate action. It also highlights the role of language and simplified analogies in understanding complex concepts like greenhouse gases.
PRESENTATION
Exploring Direct Air Capture: Climate Resilience and Carbon Reduction
Keynote: Douglas Chan
Chief Operating Officer, Climeworks
The discussion revolves around direct air capture and storage, emphasizing its importance for climate resilience and carbon reduction. The technology behind it, including collector containers and the CO2 capture process, is explained. The timeline of innovation, commercial pilot, and scale-up of facilities is presented, with mentions of Mammoth and Project Cyprus. The conversation also covers cost reduction, market demand, and strategies for selling the idea.
PRESENTATION
Exploring the Future of Nuclear Technology: A Focus on X Energy
Keynote: Ben Reinke
Vice President of Global Business Development, X-energy
The discussion delves into the future of nuclear technology, highlighting the development of advanced reactors and the history of light water reactors. It introduces X Energy's advanced reactor technology, including their high temperature gas cooled reactor, and discusses the company's founding, research, and funding. The talk also covers strategic initiatives like mobile micro reactors and space applications, and the design and safety features of high temperature gas reactors.
PRESENTATION
Climate Resilience, Innovation, and Youth Engagement in Decision Making
Keynote: Richard Spinrad
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere & NOAA Administrator
Richard Spinrad emphasizes the importance of climate resilience and innovations in tackling climate-driven hazards. It explores tools like climate mapping for adaptation and discusses funding and partnerships for resilient communities. The role of AI in climate work, policies for carbon dioxide removal, and innovations in ocean and atmosphere observations are addressed. The potential of the new blue economy is highlighted. The talk concludes with the introduction of the Young Changemaker Fellowship, stressing the importance of youth perspectives in decision-making.
PRESENTATION
Exploring Climate Resilience: Grants, Innovation, and Scalable Solutions
Keynote: Ali Zaidi
Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor
The presentation explores various aspects of climate resilience, including the issuance of grants to bolster transportation systems and the importance of ecosystem restoration. It highlights the interplay between data systems and investment, and the necessity for financial innovation. The discussion also covers workforce training and the cost-effectiveness of resilience technologies. The game changers initiative, aiming to identify affordable, scalable solutions, is introduced. Despite the crisis, the emphasis is on hope and possibilities, with a call to strengthen resilience globally and join the Prepare Initiative.
PANEL
Advancing Climate Resilience Through Technology and Collaboration
continue to impact infrastructureThe panel centers on enhancing climate resilience using technology. Speakers from various organizations share their work in climate adaptation and resilience, defining these solutions as tools that predict, prevent, mitigate, or recover from climate hazards. They discuss the challenges in capital flow and commercialization, emphasizing the need for collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. The role of government and private sector in testing and deploying these solutions is also highlighted.
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PANEL
Resilience and Innovation: The Department of Defense's Response to Climate Change
The panel discusses the Department of Defense's (DOD) resilience in the face of climate change, emphasizing the importance of electrification, partnerships, and innovative solutions. Lessons from Hurricane Michael and the operational impact of climate change on naval operations are shared. The conversation also covers the operationalization of DOD memos, energy storage, aviation fuels, and the challenges of the battery supply chain. The need for resilience in design and increased design standards is highlighted.
PANEL
Navigating Climate Change: The Basics, Breakthroughs, and Building Resilience
The session delves into the importance of basics and breakthroughs in climate change, with insights from distinguished panelists. It highlights the challenges in science communication and the need for collaboration between scientists and policymakers. The discussion also explores the role of the security community in climate change impacts and resilience, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, and the need for strategic monitoring of climate resilience programs. The conversation concludes with the significance of acknowledging uncertainty in climate change and the role of trust in decision-making.
PANEL
Understanding Polar Tipping Points and Climate Intervention Strategies
Rebecca Pincus, Director of the Polar Institute, and panelists delve into polar tipping points and the urgent need for research to comprehend and potentially prevent them. They discuss various examples, including the Western Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, ocean circulation, permafrost, and caribou population. The conversation also covers the US government's efforts to expedite research and development of interventions to tackle climate challenges, such as solar radiation modification and carbon sequestration.