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Global Climate Action Symposium
About
The second-annual Global Climate Action Symposium will bring together a wide range of experts to showcase climate change engagement by local student activists, scientists and engineers, business and policy experts, and artists. Jointly sponsored by Georgia Tech and European consulates during European Climate Diplomacy Week, the event will be held virtually in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Registration
Registration is free and open to the public. Register for the event here.
At a glance
Date/Time
Live events will take place on October 6, 7, and 8th, 2020 from 9 am – 12 pm (EST)
Where
The 2020 symposium will be a free, virtual event.
Themes
- October 6 – Climate & Ecosystems
- October 7 – Environmental Justice & Climate Justice
- October 8 – COVID-19 & Green Recovery
Schedule of Events
October 6, 2020
Climate and Ecosystems
9:00 – 9:15am (EST)
Opening Remarks
- President Cabrera, Introduced by Kim Cobb
9:15 – 10:15am (EST)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Jenny McGuire, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Jerome Gaillardet, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
- Jennifer Marlon, Yale University
- Shyla Raghav, Conservation International
- Joel Kostka, Georgia Institute of Technology
10:15 – 10:30am (EST)
Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15am (EST)
Keynote
- Jackie Mohan, University of Georgia
11:15 – 11:30am (EST)
Student Lightning Talks
11:30am – 12:00pm (EST)
Virtual Tours
Kendeda Eco-Commons Tour
- Shan Aurora, Georgia Institute of Technology and Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM) Exhibit
- Barbara Kiolbassa, ZKM
October 7, 2020
Environmental Justice
9:00 – 9:15am (EST)
Opening Remarks
- Jennifer Hirsch, Georgia Tech Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain
- Andreas Bachmann, Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
9:15 – 10:15am (EST)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Bernie Burgener, Greenhouse Accelerator
- Marta Torre-Schaub, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- Rebecca Hull, Georgia Tech Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain
- Jalonne White-Newsome, Kresge Foundation
- Eboni Preston, Greening Youth Foundation
10:15 – 10:30am (EST)
Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15am (EST)
Keynote
- Na’Taki Osborne-Jelks, West-Atlanta Watershed Alliance
11:15 – 11:30am (EST)
Student Lightning Talks
11:30am – 12:00pm (EST)
Virtual Tour
- West-Atlanta Watershed Project
- Barbara Dombrowski, Art & Climate Justice Exhibition
12:00pm (EST)
“Envisioning our Future” Workshop
- Soheil Hajmirbaba, Société d’Objets Cartographiques
October 8, 2020
COVID19 and Green Recovery
9:00 – 9:15am (EST)
Opening Remarks
- Sebnem Ozkan, Atlanta Global Studies Center
- Heike Fuller, German Consulate General in Atlanta
9:15 – 10:15am (EST)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Marcel Beukeboom, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Netherlands
- Shelby Buso, City of Atlanta
- Laura Taylor, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, United Nations & UNDP
10:15 – 10:30am (EST)
Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15am (EST)
11:15 – 11:30am (EST)
Student Lightning Talks
11:45am – 12:00pm (EST)
Student Photography Awards
12:00pm (EST)
Closing Remarks
- Kim Cobb, Georgia Tech Global Change Program
Asynchronous (EST)
K-18 Photography Workshop
Themes
Climate & Ecosystems
The Climate and Ecosystems topic explores the ways Earth’s climate and ecosystems are linked. Our changing climate impacts our ecosystems, with ramifications for biodiversity and the ecology of Earth’s critical zones. However, ecosystems also play an essential role in mitigating climate change through ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration through effective forestry. This topic discusses the ways ecosystems can be a tool for effective climate action and the ways in which we protect them.
Environmental Justice & Climate Justice
Climate change is a human and civil rights issue. Environmental injustice, including climate change, disproportionately affects communities of color and low-income communities. The Environmental Justice and Climate Justice topic incorporates anti-racism as an essential component of effective climate action while discussing the Black Lives Matter movement and global equality issues through the lens of climate change.
COVID-19 & Green Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered life on a global scale, underscoring inequality and illustrating vulnerability to climate change. The COVID-19 and Green Recovery topic explores how equity and climate action can be incorporated into economic and societal COVID-19 recovery plans, with emphasis on plans currently being enacted in Europe.