This summer saw record temperatures, deadly floods, wildfires, and storms. The climate change impacts scientists have warned about are now evident. While more policy action is needed, governments are taking significant steps to avert the most devastating consequences of climate change with historic investments in clean energy, such as the Inflation Reduction Act passed a year ago, and policy frameworks to reduce fossil fuel emissions. With a pivotal COP coming up later this year in the UAE, it is important to take stock of where we are in the energy transition, and examine the disparity between our climate ambitions and the prevailing reality of the world’s energy needs.

Please join the Center on Global Energy Policy and Institute of Global Politics at Columbia SIPA for a moderated, in-depth discussion and Q&A with leading climate activists, scholars, and policymakers. They will convene to look at strategies for hastening this energy shift and advancing climate policy action, while discussing the roles of effective communication, policy, research, and social mobilization. The discussion will also identify pragmatic opportunities to enhance ambition on climate and energy action during this critical window of time for accelerated action on mitigation.

Moderator:
Tim Puko, Climate Reporter, Washington Post

Speakers:
Jason Bordoff, Founding Director, Center on Global Energy Policy; Professor of Professional Practice, Columbia SIPA; Professor and Co-Founding Dean Emeritus, Columbia Climate School
Abigail Dillen, President, Earthjustice
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada
Katharine Hayhoe, Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair, Texas Tech University