MIT Climate Action Symposium: The Role of Research Universities and MIT’s Climate Initiatives

The fifth of MIT’s six Climate Action Symposia, The Role of Research Universities and MIT’s Climate Initiatives, will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Topics will include:

how research universities can help the world deal with the climate crisis;
initiatives being developed by MIT to reduce carbon emissions;
how you can get involved.

The Climate Action Symposia series aims to advance our community’s understanding and expand our capacity to generate solutions for the urgent global challenge of climate change. The six symposia examine the current state of climate science and policy, as well as pathways for decarbonization of the global economy. We will also look at how universities can and should contribute solutions, including MIT’s efforts under our Plan for Action on Climate Change.

Schedule

2:30-2:35 pm Welcome

Richard Lester, Associate Provost, MIT

2:35-2:40 pm Setting the stage

Paula Hammond, Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT
Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability and Lecturer, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT

2:40-3:20 pm Panel I: The role of research universities
Moderator:

Paula Hammond, Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, MIT

Speakers:

Melissa Nobles, Dean of School of Humanities Arts and Social Science, MIT
John Deutch, Institute Professor Emeritus Department of Chemistry, MIT

3:20-4:00 pm Panel II: MIT’s low-carbon campus and test bed
Moderator:

Krystyn Van Vliet, Associate Provost; Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Biological Engineering, MIT

Speakers:

Joe Higgins, Vice President for Campus Services and Stewardship, MIT
Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability and Lecturer, Department of Urban Studies and Planning, MIT

4:00-4:30 pm Reflections on Climate Action at MIT