Climate Frontiers

Energy and Climate at UChicago

October 30, 2024

Join us for a day-long program of events to mark the University of Chicago’s launch of a groundbreaking climate and energy institute that will be the central hub for its global efforts to confront this pivotal challenge.

About Climate Frontiers

On October 30, 2024, the University will host Climate Frontiers: Energy and Climate at UChicago, a day-long program of special events culminating in the unveiling of a new climate and energy institute.

The program of events will demonstrate the scale and breadth of the University’s activities on energy and climate change and highlight how the new institute will be a world leader in achieving real progress as society works to balance the need for economic growth with the urgent priority of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The live webcast will include a series of leadership discussions featuring University of Chicago faculty in conversation with senior leaders from government, industry, and the non-profit sector focused on core research areas central to the new institute where the University of Chicago is uniquely positioned to lead.

Agenda

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
2:00pm–4:45pm

The Future of Climate at UChicago: Unveiling of the New Institute

Featuring opening remarks by President Alivisatos and a presentation by the new institute’s founding director Michael Greenstone.

Leadership Dialogue One | Balancing Climate and Growth: A Policy Dialogue with John Podesta

The University of Chicago has a renowned tradition of pioneering economic thinking to tackle major societal challenges. Climate change is no exception. As world leaders work to balance the urgent priority for economic growth with the equally pressing need to stabilize the climate, public policy strategies have taken center stage. John Podesta has spent his decades-long career advising policymakers, including Presidents Obama and Biden, on U.S. and global climate policy. Join Podesta and Michael Greenstone for a conversation about the state of U.S. and global climate policy, the tension between climate and growth, and the role that the University of Chicago can play through research and education.

John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, The White House

Michael Greenstone, Director, EPIC; Milton Friedman Distinguished Professor in Economics

Moderated by Heidi Heitkamp, Former Senator (D-ND); Director, UChicago Institute of Politics

Leadership Dialogue Two | Energy Storage and the Future of Clean Tech

The University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory represent the nation’s largest concentration of energy technology experts, a group with particular strength in energy storage and advanced materials. The development of affordable batteries for automotive and grid applications is often referred to as the holy grail of Cleantech. Join world-renowned battery scientist Shirley Meng, former Department of Energy Undersecretary for Science Paul Dabbar and leading industry experts for a conversation on the future of clean tech, the state of energy storage, and the role University of Chicago researchers are playing in developing world-changing clean technologies.

Shirley Meng, Founding Faculty Director, Energy Technologies Initiative; Professor of Molecular Engineering, Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

Paul M. Dabbar, Former Undersecretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy; Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, Bohr Quantum Technology

Calvin Butler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Exelon Corporation

Moderated by Amy Harder, Executive Editor, Cipher

Leadership Dialogue Three | Climate Systems Engineering: A Research-First Approach to a Multidimensional Challenge

Inspired by the University’s tradition of fearlessly pursuing ideas wherever they lead, the University launched the Climate Systems Engineering initiative (CSEi) last year with Professor David Keith as the founding director. In doing so, the University is fostering an new field devoted to exploring technologies that could reduce the risks posed by greenhouse gases that have already accumulated in the atmosphere. This panel will explore the human, governance, and technical questions surrounding these emerging technologies. How do scientists and policymakers weigh the potential benefits and costs, and balance the uncertainties? What knowledge is needed to inform decisionmakers about their possible use? How do leaders coordinate a global strategy?

David Keith, Founding Faculty Director, Climate Systems Engineering Initiative; Professor, Geophysical Sciences

Hina Rabbani Khar, Member of the Pakistan National Assembly, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan

Nat Keohane, President of the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions

Moderated by Amy Harder, Executive Editor, Cipher

Speakers

Register

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