about
Climate change and sustainability are defining issues of our age; and a robust, multi-sector response will be required to pivot societies toward a more sustainable future for all. As a global leader in environmental research, policy analysis and climate action; as a co-sponsor of Climate Action 2016; and in line with our role as an institution for the advancement of research and education for the public good, the University of Maryland is committed to supporting leaders from government, business, finance, academia, philanthropy and civil society in the effective implementation of a new climate regime.
In support of this commitment, the University of Maryland is hosting the Climate Action 2016 forum on May 4. As a public conference in support of the objectives of the Climate Action 2016 multi-stakeholder summit to be held in Washington, DC on May 5-6, the forum will provide an opportunity for discussion among academia as well as a diverse range of stakeholders with an interest in advancing the climate implementation agenda.
The University of Maryland would like to thank Norman and Florence Brody, and their son Bill Brody and his family, for their continuous support of the University’s mission in educating and advancing the knowledge of our students. Norman Brody always found great enjoyment in the debate and lively discussion of topical issues. Through discussion with his close friend, Brit Kirwin, and building off Norman’s affinity for the point-counterpoint segment of 60 Minutes, Norman and his wife Florence established the Norman and Florence Brody Family Foundation Forum with the School of Public Policy.
The inaugural event for the Brody Forum was held 20 years ago this June with a widely attended speech by retired General and future Secretary of State Colin Powell. It was, in fact, Norman himself, who took the initiative to contact General Powell and encourage him to be the inaugural Brody Forum speaker. Tragically, Norman passed away before he could see his efforts come to fruition at the inaugural Forum and in the twenty years since.
With each Forum, we aim to provoke discussion, thought, and perhaps even some controversy. In honor of Norman and Florence Brody, and their son Bill and his family, we invite you to engage in the conversation of Climate Action by attending the Climate Action 2016 Forum. We encourage you to continue the conversation after the forum has ended, and not to never shy away from alternative points of view.
the University of Maryland is committed to supporting leaders from government, business, finance, academia, philanthropy and civil society in the effective implementation of a new climate regime.
content
Tracks
click to see more details
The Climate Action 2016 forum is a public event, open to both governmental and non-governmental participants. Participants from public or governmental organizations, private companies, campus departments, NGOs and civil society organizations, universities and research communities, and all attendees of the Climate Action 2016 summit are invited to participate in the forum discussions.
The Climate Action 2016 forum will feature both, the thematic areas of Climate Action 2016 summit in Washington, DC, as well as cross-cutting discussions on effective implementation of climate and sustainable development goals.
City and Sub-National Implementation
Utilize, expand and deepen collaborations within city and state/provincial networks; outcomes measurement and accountability
Resilience/Adaptation
Innovations in delivery of resilience; best practices in implementation and monitoring of projects; mainstreaming adaptation and providing data and tools for planning; water and other resource needs
Energy
Expanding energy access under low-carbon development pathways; energy efficiency with an emphasis on the interface between business, finance and policy makers.
Sustainable Land Use
Practical strategies for diverse national contexts; new approaches to non-CO2 gases; sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Climate & Society
The climate challenge is one faced by society as a whole, and it is through collaborations across society that we will pivot towards a more sustainable future for all.
Analysis and Tools
to Support Decision-Making
Tracking climate finance; assessing targets and policy implementation; exploring issues related to climate data and information; utilizing big data; climate services; tracking progress toward INDCs; modeling and analysis.
program
view e-program
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
9:00 AM–9:50 AM
Opening Plenary & Welcome Keynote
Climate Action: The Next Chapter in Global Sustainability
Welcome Remarks
Dr. Wallace D. Loh, President of the University of Maryland
The Honorable Mr. Ben Cardin, U.S. Senator for Maryland
Dr. Robert C. Orr, Dean of the School of Public Policy, University of Maryland
Opening Keynote
The Honorable Mr. Tim Wirth, Vice Chair of the United Nations Foundation and the Better World Fund
Dr. Piers J. Sellers, Deputy Director of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate and Acting Director of the Earth Sciences Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center
10:00 am-11:10 am
Session 1
Track:
Analysis & Tools to Support Decision-Making
The Role of Academic and Research Institutions in Climate Implementation
Center for Global Sustainability & Universitas 21
Panelists:
Mark Stewart, Senior Project Manager, Office of Sustainability, University of Maryland
Dr. J. Randy McGinnis, Principal Investigator, (UMD subledger), Maryland and Delaware Climate Change Education Assessment and Research (MADE CLEAR)
Dr. Ron Benioff, Director, Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Global Partnership
Dr. Luis Cifuentes, Associate Professor, Industrial and Systems Engineering Department, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Dr. Anand Patwardhan, Climate Implementation Research Network
Dr. Amy Luers, Engagement Committee, Future Earth
moderator
Dr. Lennart Olsson, Director, Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies
Track:
City and Sub-National Implementation
Next Steps for State Climate Leadership: Setting Mid-Term Goals and Policies, Assessing Progress
National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education
Panelists:
George (Tad) Aburn, Director, Air & Radiation Management Administration, Maryland Department of the Environment
Susan Love, Administrator of the Climate and Sustainability Section, Delaware Division of Energy and Climate
Heidi Hales, Director, Air Quality and Climate Division of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation
Sharon Weber, Deputy Director, Division of Air & Climate Programs, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Vicki Arroyo, Executive Director, Georgetown Climate Center, Professor from Practice, Georgetown University Law Center
Gerrit Knaap, Executive Director, National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education, Professor of Urban Studies and Planning, University of Maryland
Towards Low Carbon Cities: The European Covenant of Mayors Initiative
European Commission Joint Research Center
Panelists:
Paolo Bertoldi, Senior Expert, Institute for Energy and Transport, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Giulia Melica, Research Officer, Institute for Energy and Transport, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Anthony Gad Bigio, Adjunct Professor, George Washington University
Antonio Soria, Head of Unit, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies, European Commission Joint Research Centre
Dave Ribeiro, Senior Analyst, Utilities, State, and Local Policy Program, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
Track
Implementing Resilience/Adaptation
Climate Change Resilience/Adaptation: Health and Agroecosystem
School of Public Health & College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Panelists:
Dr. Adel Shirmohammadi, Professor and Associate Dean, Associate Director, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Dr. Amir Sapkota, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Maryland
Dr. Cliff Mitchell, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, State of Maryland, Baltimore
Dr. Amy Sapkota, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, University of Maryland
Dr. Charles Walthall, National Program Leader, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Dr. Paul Leisnham, Associate Professor, College of Agricultural and Natural Resources, University of Maryland
Dr. Hubert Montas, Professor, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
Track
Sustainable Land Use
Carbon Monitoring and Modeling in the Land Use Sector
Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Panelists:
Matt Hansen, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Nancy Harris, Research Manager, Global Forest Watch, World Resources Institute
David Skole, Professor, Department of Forestry, Michigan State University
George Hurtt, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Track
Climate & Society
Combating Climate Change Through Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
Panelists:
Steve Bolton, Project Manager, North America, Trucost
Gabe Klein, Special Venture Partner at Fontinalis Partners, Entrepreneur, Author
Moderator:
David A. Kirsch, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship, Smith School of Business.
Track
Energy
Wind Energy: Innovation and Lowering Cost
A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
Panelists:
Nick Johnson, Technology Manager, U.S. Department of Energy
Paul J. Gallagher, Sr., Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel, Fishermen’s Energy
Jay A. Borkland, Program Director/Principal, Apex Companies, LLC
Mark Rice, President, Maritime Applied Physics Corporation
Moderator:
Ross Tyler, Business Network for Offshore Wind
11:20 am-12:30 pm
Session 2
Track
Analysis & Tools to Support Decision-Making
Enabling a More Resilient Future Through Data-Driven Investments
Environmental Finance Center
Panelists:
Ellory Monks, Project Manager, Re:Focus
Michelle Vigen, Senior Energy Planner, Department of Environmental Protection Montgomery County Government, Maryland
Kayed Lakhia, Director for Hazard Mitigation, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Frank Donnelly, Vice President of Finance, Corvias Solutions
Mike Dieterich, Founder, Renew and Sustain Consulting
Moderator
Brandy Espinola, Environmental Finance Center
Track
City and Sub-National Implementation
Starting the Discussion: Transformative Climate Action through National and Local Government Coordination and Collaboration
Bloomberg Philanthropies, C40 Cities, Natural Resources Defense Council, Stockholm Environment Institute, World Resources Institute
Panelists
Markus Hagemann, Founding Partner, New Climate Institute
Anne Wellenstein, Acting Director, Climate Change Group, Global Practice for Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience, World Bank
Mr. Rodrigo Aguilar Benignos, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Governor of the State of Jalisco, Mexico
Moderator
Dan Nees, Director, Environmental Finance Center, University of Maryland
Track
Implementing Resilience/Adaptation
Analysis and Tools to Support Adaptation and Resilience Actions
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, World Resources Institute, Center for Global Sustainability
Panelists
Jia Li, Economist, Climate Change Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
John Furlow, Senior Climate Adaptation Specialist, U.S. Agency for International Development
Heather McGray, Director, Climate Resilience Practice, World Resources Institute
Track
Sustainable Land-Use
Strengthening Coalitions and Mobilizing Action for Climate-Smart Land Use
Global Environment Facility, We Mean Business, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Panelists:
William Hohenstein, Director, Climate Change Program Office, Office of the Chief Economist; Acting Director, Office of Environmental Markets, Office of the Chief Economist
Leigh Madeira, Co-Founder and Partner, Blue Forest Conservation
Seth Shames, Director, Policy and Markets Program, EcoAgriculture Partners
Andrew Borvarnick, Global Head, Green Commodities Program, Lead Natural Resource Economist, United Nations Development Program (UNDP)
Moderator:
Mohamed Bakarr, Lead Environment Specialist, Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Track
Climate & Society
Fast Action, Quick Results, and Multiple Benefits: How reducing short-lived climate pollutants is a triple win for climate, health, and development
Climate and Clean Air Coalition, U.S. Department of State
Panelists:
Drew Kodjak, Executive Director, The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)
Durwood Zaelke, President, Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD)
Thomas Frankiewicz, Lead, International Biogas Programs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Change Division
Sandra Mazo-Nix, Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) Municipal Solid Waste Initiative Coordinator
Moderator:
Jennifer Hadden, US State Department
Fossil Fuel Divestment: from Aspiration to Action
Student Government Association, Student Sustainability Committee
Panelists:
Dr. Ross Salawitch, Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland
Dr. Raghu Murtugudde, Chesapeake Bay Forecast System (CBFS) Executive Director, Professor, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland
Dr. Steven Hutcheson, Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland
Mr. Tyson Slocum, Director of Energy; Lecturer, Public Citizen, Department of Undergraduate Studies-Honors College, University of Maryland
Track
Energy
Energy Efficiency
A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
Panelists:
Antonio Bouza, Technology Manager, Building Technologies Office, U.S. Department of Energy
Omar Abdelaziz, Senior Research Staff and Group Leader, Building Equipment Research Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Building Technologies and Integration Center (BTRIC)
Dr. Chun-Cheng Piao, Vice President, Technology Alliances, Daikin U.S. Corporation
Dr. Reinhard Radermacher, Director, Center for Environmental Energy Engineering, University of Maryland
12:30 PM–2:00 PM
Luncheon Plenary
Catalyzing Climate Action at Scale:
The Role of Philanthropy and Innovative Finance
Panelists
Nancy Kopp, Treasurer, State of Maryland
Stephen Heintz, President, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund
Naoko Ishii, CEO & Chairperson, The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Adam Wolfensohn, Co-Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Encourage Capital
Moderator
Kathy Calvin, President & CEO, United Nations Foundation
2:10 PM-3:20 PM
Session 3
Track
Analysis & Tools to Support Decision-Making
Pricing Carbon—the Social Cost of Carbon
Department of Economics, University of Maryland
Panelists:
Maureen Cropper, Distinguished University Professor, University of Maryland, & co-Chair, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine-National Research Council (NAS-NRC) Committee on Assessing Approaches to Estimates of the Social Cost of Carbon
Billy Pizer, Professor, Sanford School of Public Policy and Faculty Fellow, Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions, Duke University
Steven Rose, Senior Research Economist, Electric Power Research Institute
Implementing the Paris Agreement: Research and Analysis to Support a Below-2-degree World
Joint Global Change Research Institute, Center for Global Sustainability
Panelist:
Dr. Jae Edmonds, Chief Scientist and Batelle Laboratory Fellow, Joint Global Change Research Institute
Johannes Friedrich, CAIT Project Lead, World Resources Institute
Dr. Sean McMahon, Senior Scientist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Dr. Allen Fawcett, Branch Chief, Economics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Moderator:
Dr. Nathan Hultman, Director, Center for Global Sustainability
Track
Implementing Resilience/Adaptation
Public Forum on Insurance and Climate Resilience
Geneva Association
Panelists:
Mr. Ernst Rauch, Head of Corporate Climate Center and Renewables, Munich Re
Dr. Fielding L. Norton III, Managing Director, XL Catlin Leadership Council, Deputy Chief Enterprise Risk Officer, XL Catlin
Dr. Jayanta Guin, Executive Vice President, Chief Research Officer, AIR Worldwide
Dr. Oliver Mahul, Lead Manager of Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Program, World Bank Group
Mr. Krishan Venkatachalam, Head of Micro-Insurance, American International Group (AIG), also representing Blue Marble Ventures
Moderator:
Dr. Maryam Golnaragi, Director of Extreme Event and Climate Risk Programme of the Geneva Association
Track
Sustainable Land Use
Land Sector and the Paris Agreement—A Mitigation Opportunity
Forest Trends
Panelists:
Gustavo A. Silva-Chávez , Program Manager, Forest Trade and Finance, Forest Trends
David Burns, Manager, Tropical Forests and Agriculture, National Wildlife Federation
Josefina Braña Varela, Senior Director, Forest and Climate Program, World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Dr. Andrew Deutz, Director of International Government Relations, The Nature Conservancy
Dr. Steven Panfil, Technical Advisor for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Initiatives, Conservation International
Track
Climate & Society
Climate Change, Poverty, and Vulnerability
College of Behavioral & Social Sciences, University of Maryland
Poverty eradication and 2 degrees: can we have the cake and eat it too?
Dr. Klaus Hubacek, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Giovanni Baiocchi, Associate Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Kuishuang Feng, Associate Research Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Anand Patwardhan, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland
Poverty alleviation through climate policy - win-win or wishful thinking?
Dr. Lennart Olsson, Director, Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies
Carbon Inequality in Global Trade Networks
Dr. Christina Prell, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland
Dr. Kuishuang Feng, Associate Research Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Klaus Hubacek, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Laixiang Sun, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Climate Change, the right to development, stranded resources and assets
Dr. Joyeeta Gupta, Professor, Environment and Development in the Global South, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam
The Carbon Footprint of the American Dream: Behavioral Mitigation Potential of Consumer Lifestyle Types
Dr. Giovanni Baiocchi, Associate Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Kuishuang Feng, Associate Research Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Klaus Hubacek, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Cole Walters, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Distributional effects of a US Carbon Tax
Dr. Tetsuji Tanaka, Research Associate, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Steven Davies, Assistant Professor, Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine
Dr. Laixiang Sun, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Kuishuang Feng, Associate Research Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Dr. Klaus Hubacek, Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Cultural Knowledge and local vulnerability in African American communities
Christine D. Miller Hesed, PhD candidate, Anthropology, University of Maryland
Dr. Michael Paolisso, Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland
Human Responses to Climate Stress: Results of ethnographic and ethnohistorical investigations among modern Maya Communities in Belize
Dr. Sean S. Dowey, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland
Dr. Eva Jobbova, Institute of Archaeology, University College London
Contextualizing Impacts of Climate Change in Rural Mozambique Using Local Environmental Knowledge
Dr. L. Jen Shaffer, Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Maryland
Examining the Inequality-enhancing Effects of Extreme Weather: Droughts, Floods, and Tropical Cyclones in Mozambique
Dr. Julie Silva, Assistant Professor, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Maryland
Track
Energy
Part I
The Nuclear Option
Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM), University of Maryland
Panelists
Nancy Gallagher, Interim Director, Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland (CISSM), University of Maryland
Jeff Harper, Vice President for Business Development, X-energy
Tom Bergman, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, NuScale Power
Part II
Systems Engineering for the Integration of Renewable Energy Resources
A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
Panelists
Mike Binder, School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, University of Maryland
Dr. John S. Baras, Lockheed Martin Chair in Systems Engineering, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
John MacCarthy, Director, Systems Engineering Education Program, The Institute for Systems Research
Dr. Ray Adomaitis, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for Systems Research, University of Maryland
Part III
Data Tools for a Sustainable Energy Transition: Building a Global Database of Power Plants
A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland
Panelists
Lawrence MacDonald, Vice President for Communications, WRI
Johannes Friedrich, Project Manager, Global Climate Program, WRI
3:30–4:30 PM
Closing Plenary
The Next Generation of Climate Action:
A Conversation Between Today’s and Tomorrow’s Leaders
Panelists:
Mr. Martin O’Malley, Former Governor, State of Maryland
Ms. Keya Chatterjee, Executive Director, U.S. Climate Action Network (USCAN)
Mr. Niraj Palsule, School of Public Policy Graduate Student, University of Maryland
Ms. Isabela Barriga, School of Public Health Undergraduate Student, University of Maryland
Moderator:
Ms. Christina Bowman, School of Public Policy Graduate Student, University of Maryland
6:30–8:30 PM
Invite-Only Reception
Hosted by the University of Maryland at the Phillips Collection
Sponsored by:
Reverse Ionizer and WGL
Location
Adele H. Stamp Student Union
University of Maryland, College Park
How to get here:
Directions via Metro or car can be found here. If arriving by car, plan to park in the Union Lane Garage located adjacent to the Stamp Student Union. Overflow parking is available in the Stadium Drive Garage. If arriving by metro, there will be shuttles running from the College Park Metro Station to the Stamp Student Union.
frequently asked questions
When and where is the forum?
The forum will take place on Wednesday May 4, 2016 at the University of Maryland, in College Park, Maryland.
What Is the rationale for the forum?
The Climate Action 2016 forum is being convened by the University of Maryland to engage a diverse range of stakeholders with an interest in shaping the climate implementation agenda. The forum will provide an opportunity for the academic community, civil society, business and students to partake in discussions regarding the research and analytical approaches needed for effective climate action.
Is the forum part of the summit?
The forum is a public event and its outcomes will complement the Climate Action 2016 summit.
What will the outcome(s) of the forum be?
The forum will generate an enhanced dialogue with all stakeholders present to shape the Post-Paris climate implementation agenda, and its outcomes will in turn feed into the summit and its outcomes.
What are the thematic areas for the forum?
- City and Subnational Implementation
- Resilience/Adaptation
- Energy
- Sustainable Land Use
- Climate & Society
- Analysis and Tools to Support Decision-Making
Additionally, other cross-cutting sessions will address effective implementation of climate and sustainable development goals.
What Is the University of Maryland’s role in the forum?
The University of Maryland recognizes the importance of engaging a broad range of stakeholders to discuss approaches to societal challenges, the University’s role as a global research institution, and the opportunity to support the Post-Paris climate implementation agenda. Therefore, the University is convening the Climate Action 2016 forum.
contact
For questions, please contact forum@climateaction2016.org
For press inquiries, please contact Graham Binder, binderg@umd.edu, 301.405.4076
The Flagship Institution
of the University System of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742, USA / 301.405.1000
