Monday, October 30, 2017

Focus Day

CLIMATE

“UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.

It’s not.”

The Lorax, Dr. Seuss

9:30 – 10:30  Keys to Understanding Minnesota’s Changing Climatology

Speaker: Dr. Kenneth Blumenfeld, Senior Climatologist, Minnesota DNR State Climatology Office

Minnesota’s most obvious and critical climatic changes are often different from the more-familiar global ones, and in some cases defy intuition. Understanding the subtle differences between global and local challenges is critical to communities and units of government that are planning for a changed future. This discussion will focus on recent efforts to provide Minnesota with a consistent, scientific baseline of climatic information that illustrates how common Minnesota weather hazards are (or are not) responding to global climate change.

10:45 – 11:45 Pathways to Solving the Climate Crisis

Speaker: Dr. Jessica Hellmann, PhD

Director, Institute on the Environment (IonE), University of Minnesota; Chair in Excellence, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, College of Biological Sciences

IonE is a globally recognized scholarship and education think tank dedicated to translating environmental
knowledge to real-world solutions. Hellmann will talk about promising trends in reducing greenhouse gases, specific steps that people can take to reduce emissions and encourage the transition to a renewable economy, and what it means to adapt to climate change. Her research and that of her students has shown that differences in the way populations respond to climate change are key to predicting and managing their future.

11:45 – Noon ANNOUNCEMENTS
11:00 – 1:15 LUNCHEON

1:15 – 2:15 Building Political Will for an Ethical Energy Future

Speaker: Joseph Robertson, Global Strategy Director, Citizens’ Climate Lobby

Citizens’ Climate Lobby believes that politicians don’t create political will. They respond to it. Robertson will tell us about work being done around the world to expand the civic space and will explain how ordinary citizens can move their leaders towards action that will preserve a healthy climate and a livable world.