Climate Solutions Now

Talk Title

Tracks

Speaker Name

Organization

Description

Violet Saige Walker

Northern Chumash Tribal Council

A Decade of Climate Action: Reflecting on Past Success and Looking Ahead to What Comes Next

Plenary; Policy; Community Engagement

Chris Read; Lucia Pohlman

City of San Luis Obispo Sustainability Department

The City of San Luis Obispo has had sustainability policy on the books for decades and has been implementing a climate action plan since 2012. This talk reflects on the last ten years of climate action in the City and looks ahead to what comes next.

On Interpreting IPCC’s Findings for Societal Planning

Plenary

Michael MacCracken

Climate Institute

With climate change starting to be recognized as an emerging environmental challenge in the 1980s, the international community, under the auspices of the United Nations, established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). IPCC's Governing Principles call for its role to be "to assess on a comprehensive, objective, open and transparent basis the scientific, technical and socioeconomic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation." The most recent of its six assessments aimed at providing useful information for decision- and policy-makers at all levels was completed in 2023. With the many uncertainties arising in seeking to understand the past and project the future, a critical issue continues to be how IPCC's scientific findings should be understood, communicated, and applied by those whose disciplines and perspectives are based on different decision-making frameworks. At least some of the contention over the climate change issue is a result of different interpretations, the importance and awareness of which will be explored in this talk.

The Future of Climate Innovation - More Than You Think

Plenary

Marcius Extavour

Ode

We are entering a new era of climate solution making. This emerging era centers social and economic opportunity to improve quality of life for our communities, even as we address the causes and symptoms of dangerous climate change. Despite recent headwinds in US politics, the rise of AI data centers, and record global mean surface temperatures, all is not lost. This talk will explore the new coalitions, technology innovations, and social forces that give our generation the tools and opportunities to reduce harm, reduce emissions, and regenerate ecosystems as much or more than any previous generation.

Our Future is Blue: Climate Solutions from the Ocean

Plenary; Water and Oceans

Terry Tamminen

AltaSea

Solutions to our climate and sustainability challenges are proliferating at an unprecedented rate, driven largely by rapidly declining technology costs, fast-approaching regulatory deadlines, and the steady drumbeat of headlines featuring costly storms, floods, droughts, crop failures, and human health impacts. Despite this progress, our world is falling short of its goals, especially the widely accepted need to prevent global temperatures from warming more than 1.5 degrees centigrade. To address this shortfall, large sectors of the economy will need to rapidly decarbonize; new sources of clean renewable energy will need to be developed; carbon pollution will need to be removed from the atmosphere and ocean; and a new generation of uniquely skilled workers will need to be inspired, educated, and trained. All of this will require innovative financing mechanisms, especially in the global ""south"" , and a means to deploy those solutions rapidly. The presentation offers a bold new way to achieve these critical goals by harnessing the power of the largest ecosystem on the planet: our oceans. The concepts presented show how unique partnerships can: - Rapidly accelerate ocean climate technology deployment globally - Bring equitable jobs and business opportunities to developing countries and regions - Harness innovative financing vehicles to scale up and de-risk ocean climate solutions

Collective Regeneration: A New Approach to Unlock Agricultural Climate Solutions

Business Sustainability; Agriculture and Food Systems; Plenary

Anthony Myint

Zero FoodPrint

Working lands can sequester up to 489 gigatons of CO2e and the food system could go from being a source of about 1/3 of global emissions to carbon sink. In addition to carbon sequestration, the transition of each acre also provides many co-benefits through improved water conservation, biodiversity, resilience, nutrient dense ingredients and farmer/community prosperity. But changing how land is managed on millions of acres in CA or billions of acres globally, will require a lot more than a few people buying local and organic. Zero Foodprint is a nonprofit leading collaborations with state agencies, local governments and leading businesses that enables citizens to create the kind of food system we all want. This new approach--Collective Regeneration--makes it possible to use the next dollar to directly implement the next regenerative practice on the next acre (regardless of what anyone eats). Zero Foodprint is trailblazing a Table to Farm movement that utilizes the frameworks that are already succeeding in renewable energy and recycling, and applies those economic principles to the necessary transition in agriculture. Society has been trying to change farming by changing eating, and it hasn't worked. But the good news is that we transform agriculture, restore the climate and grow better ingredients, for a few cents per meal

Driving Toward a Fossil-Free Future

Energy; Transportation; Plenary

Gia Vacin

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development

This session will explore what California is doing in the transportation sector to combat climate change and achieve the state’s zero-emission vehicle and climate neutrality targets. Gia will share highlights from California’s Zero Emission Vehicle and Hydrogen Market Development strategies, as well as the tools the state is using to overcome key barriers and to promote opportunities to advance a robust an equitable fossil-free future. She will offer her insights and lessons learned from her decades long career in environmental science, management, and policy on remaining optimistic and focusing on what matters as we face one of the greatest existential treats to humanity. This will be an interactive discussion with time for the audience to share thoughts and ask questions.

Responsible Mineral Sourcing for the Energy Transition

Energy; Environmental Justice; Policy

Aaron Mintzes

Earthworks

The world is shifting energy sources away from hydrocarbons (oil, gas, coal) and toward metals (lithium, nickel cobalt). These metals comprise all items we use for renewable energy, communications, and national security. Yet, metals mining is the nation's largest toxic polluter and disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities. How do we source these metals without repeating the same mistakes made extracting oil, gas, and coal?

SLO’s Active Transportation Makeover: From Vision to Implementation

Transportation

Adam Fukushima

City of San Luis Obispo

Transportation makes up the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the City of San Luis Obispo. Hear how the City is linking its Active Transportation Plan to its climate action goals and what the buzz is all about with all of these new bike lanes and pedestrian crossings popping up all over town.

Measuring the unseen benefits of clean energy

Business Sustainability; Energy

Andrew DeMille

Quantum Energy, Inc.

The future of our energy system(s) is at a crossroads, with clean energy offering a path to economic growth, healthier communities, and energy independence. Yet, building large-scale renewable projects has never been more challenging. Community opposition has become one of the greatest barriers to progress, delaying or canceling projects and jeopardizing the promise of clean energy. In this talk, I’ll share how a leading renewable energy developer, through their innovative approach and commitment to genuine community engagement and transparency, overcame significant opposition and secured approval for the 1.3 GW Vista Sands Solar Farm—Wisconsin's largest and most contentious solar project. By leveraging Quantum Energy's TotalView impact analytics, concerns related to local wildlife, economic impact, and health benefits, proved critical in building a winning case that resonated across political and social divides. Whether you care about job creation, climate, protecting American landscapes, or ensuring access to affordable energy, this presentation will highlight how proactive developers are navigating community challenges and demonstrating that renewable energy projects are delivering meaningful economic, health, and environmental benefits to all.

Transmission 101

Energy; Policy

Anya Poplavska

Rocky Mountain Institute

Building enough transmission for a decarbonized future is one of the largest barriers to realizing our nation's clean energy goals. Recent analyses have shown that without more transmission being built to move clean energy more freely from one part of the country to another, 80% of the tax credits coming out of the Inflation Reduction Act for renewables won't be fully realized. There's currently enough renewables projects sitting in interconnection queues nation-wide that could decarbonize the entirety of the grid today - we just need the infrastructure in place to move those electrons. This talk will focus on the basics of how transmission works (the physics of it and the regulatory background that controls how it operates), this talk will define the benefits of transmission, and discuss about pathways available to reach large scale transmission build out. This talk is highly recommended for students potentially interested in working in the renewables and clean energy space - come learn about a field that needs more passionate transmission advocates for our communal clean energy future! This talk will be given by a Cal Poly and Department of Energy alumni, Anya Poplavska.

Energy Efficiency Affordability in Low-Income Housing

Energy; Built Environment

Ashley Thompson

SBP

I will discuss how energy efficiency and its cost can affect low income families, as well as how the work we do at SBP has helped to bridge the gap for those families and to make everyday utilities affordable.

Beaver-Managed Wetlands: Our #1 land ecosystem at absorbing carbon

Science and Education

Audrey Taub

SLO Beaver Brigade

California is feeling the worsening effects of climate change, wildfires and droughts, and our oceans and bays are inundated with pollutants, excess nutrients, trash and excess sediment. We need natural, low cost solutions to mitigate these impacts; fortunately, there is an animal that can help with all of these environmental problems and more - the beaver. Beavers are native; there used to be an estimated 200-400 million of them on this continent living in every river, lake and stream in the country until they were hunted to near extinction for their fur. Now, beavers are making a comeback and have a population of 15-30 million, still a fraction of their original population.Beavers naturally build a series of dams in rivers and streams. These dams slow the water down, spread it across the landscape, and allow it to sink into the groundwater table. This approach to water conservation is expressed simply as slow it, spread it, sink it. Beaver dams turn single thread streams into lush wetlands, full of life, and that is where we see the ecosystem benefits. Their dams catch sediment before it gets to the ocean, holding it in the river channel. This reverses the effects of erosion and builds the channel back up to its healthy state. The vegetation thrives around beaver ponds; this wide, consistent water, surrounded by healthy trees that are also full of water makes for perfect fire buffers. Scientific research has found that even during mega wildfires, beaver wetlands just won't burn. Additionally, the habits of beavers help sequester carbon, adding to the efficiency of wetlands being the most efficient land ecosystem for storing carbon. Learn more about the beavers and how they support wetlands in being the #1 ecosystem for absorbing carbon.

Premiums for the Planet: Transforming Insurance Into a Force for Climate Action

Business Sustainability

Brad Stevenson

Premiums for the Planet

The insurance industry is one of the most powerful yet underutilized levers for addressing climate change. With $7 trillion in global premiums flowing to insurers annually---much of which is invested in fossil fuels---this sector has the financial and regulatory power to reshape entire industries. Nothing, including fossil fuel companies, operates without insurance. This talk will explore how Premiums for the Planet (PFP) is transforming the insurance marketplace to align with climate goals. By harnessing the collective premium spend of climate-conscious organizations, PFP motivates insurance carriers to adopt more sustainable investing and underwriting practices, speeding the transition to a regenerative economy. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, we'll demonstrate how innovative partnerships, collective action, and the alignment of financial incentives can drive meaningful progress in this often-overlooked yet critical sector of the financial system.

Tracking California’s Urban Forest: Big Data and Remote Sensing for Smarter Management

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

Camille Pawlak

Urban Forest Ecosystem Institute

Urban forests play a vital role in enhancing environmental quality and urban livability, yet their management requires comprehensive and up-to-date data. Our team at the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute has developed a suite of tools to track and manage urban forests using large datasets. By combining field inventory records for over 7 million individual trees, we created the California Urban Forest Inventory, a comprehensive database of tree species, locations, and sizes across the state. Additionally, we leverage remote sensing to generate large-scale data products, including canopy maps and precise tree points derived from aerial imagery for every urban tree in California. These tools enable researchers and managers to draw large-scale insights, providing critical guidance for urban planning, resource allocation, and climate resilience strategies.

Campus Water Resiliency: Sewer becomes a Recycled Water Supply

Built Environment; Campus Sustainability; Water and Oceans

Chad Worth; Marcus Henderson

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Cal Poly has ambitious growth goals with plans for thousands of new units of student and faculty housing in the coming decade. One barrier to this growth is water and sewer capacity, thus Cal Poly is embarking on building its own Water Reclamation Facility to treat upwards of 80% of its sewage to create recycled water to be used for agriculture and athletic purposes. This project is under construction and one of many projects Cal Poly is pursuing to ensure a water resilient future.

TDebunking Climate Myths: The Role of Feedback Loops and Time Scales

Science and Education

Charles D. Camp

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The majority of climate myths propagated in climate-denial arguments are based upon poor understandings or misrepresentations of climate science in one or more of the following areas of climate science: 1) climate data records, 2) greenhouse effect, 3) feedback loops from interacting climate processes, and 4) the time scales upon which climate processes act. In this talk, we'll use climate data from the deep past to investigate the roles of feedback loops and their inherent time scales in the Earth's climate. Based on this understanding, we will explore some of the fallacies that underlie some of the common climate myths.

Using remote sensing on forest carbon projects

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

Cristina Barber

Anew Climate

This talk will cover a variety of topics related to the use of remote sensing on forest carbon projects. It will include how to use remote sensing data to delineate forest carbon projects, identify different forest types, estimate carbon in remote areas, and the creation of streamside management zones (SMZs). Finally, the talk will cover important datasets used in these processes, such as satellite imagery and Lidar.

Regenerative Agriculture as a Nature-based Climate Solution

Agriculture and Food Systems

Cynthia Daley

California State University Chico

Regenerative agriculture represents a transformative approach to farming that goes beyond sustainability to actively restore and enhance ecosystems, offering a powerful solution to the climate crisis. This presentation explores the role of regenerative practices---such as soil carbon sequestration, cover cropping, agroforestry, and reduced tillage--- in mitigating climate change and building resilience in agricultural landscapes. By restoring soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing water retention, regenerative agriculture not only contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also adapts agricultural systems to the challenges of a changing climate. Drawing on the latest research and case studies, we will examine how regenerative agriculture functions as a nature-based solution, improving food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. This session will highlight the importance of integrating regenerative principles into global climate strategies and explore actionable steps for farmers, policymakers, and communities to adopt and scale these practices.

Nature's blueprint for climate solutions

Business Sustainability

Dave Hutchins

Biomimicry Institute

Nature offers a blueprint for resilience, efficiency, and sustainability---the essential qualities for addressing the climate crisis. Biomimicry, the practice of drawing inspiration from natural systems and organisms, has the potential to inform and measure how we design climate solutions. From wind turbine blades that are made more efficient by emulating owls to environmentally friendly glitter inspired by iridescent berries, nature provides innovative strategies for reducing emissions, enhancing renewable energy systems, and adapting to climate impacts. This talk explores how leveraging biomimicry across all sectors can be a powerful tool to help create scalable and sustainable solutions.

Inspiring action with science and maps to address the intersection of climate change and chemical pollution

Communications; Policy

David Andrews

Environmental Working Groupt

Global climate change can both cause and exacerbate the adverse impacts of chemical pollution on human health and the environment. The Environmental Working Group has been utilizing peer-reviewed scientific research alongside compelling visual illustrations and maps to bring this contamination crisis to a broad public audience and create both community engagement and political will directed towards solutions. EWG research efforts focus on pesticides and industrial chemicals and their impact on our environment, including drinking water quality. For example, EWG reports and maps detailing PFAS contamination of wildlife globally document how these chemical contaminants act as additional stressors impacting survival and biodiversity in a world where ecosystem loss, changing climate, and pesticides usage are already causing significant harm. Through a communication and policy-focused lens that makes the issue of global contamination compelling and personally relevant, EWG work brings greater attention to the significance of plastic and chemical production and the yet-unsolved issues of chemical discharges and waste disposal. Utilizing the increased attention on the harms from chemical contamination in a changing climate, EWG mobilizes personal, marketplace and regulatory actions towards protecting public health.

Carbon Sequestration via Wood Burial in Engineered Environmentally Secure Repositories

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

Derek Manheim

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Woody biomass maintained under anaerobic conditions will store and sequester carbon (C) for hundreds of years without significant degradation or generation of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4). This talk will review the fundamentals of woody biomass burial in engineered, environmentally secure repositories, herein named CarbonBanks, based on advanced bioreactor landfill designs and long-term research conducted by project participants. I will review the technoeconomic viability and lifecycle environmental impacts projected for this repository technology, including an overview of repository siting and permitting, wood procurement strategies, repository engineering design and operation, as well as monitoring, reporting, and verification of long-term C durability. Through this evaluation, I will demonstrate that the CarbonBank, technology provides a low-cost and practical process for monetizing these greenhouse gas emissions reductions, helping to support necessary forest management projects and benefitting local communities.

Environmental storytelling

Communications

Don Carr

Alliance for the Great Lakes

My talk will focus on how climate change and environmentalism are portrayed in fiction, TV, and Film, why it's important and what the future holds for eco-storytelling.

The Death and Dying of the Fossil Fuel Culture

Communications; Energy

Don Maruska

Author, “Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet”

The scientific consensus is clear that fossil fuels drive human-caused global warming. So, why is there so much denial and why are the deniers becoming more strident? How do we turn around this pattern and find pathways to get more people on board with the critically important changes needed for a healthy future? The work of Elisabeth Kubler Ross "On Death and Dying" (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) for physical death can serve as a useful framework in understanding the human dynamics that stymie constructive responses to climate change. Learn what you can do help us attract more people to the work that needs to be done.

What’s at Stake with Climate Change in Our Oceans

Communications; Water and Oceans

Don Maruska

Author, “Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet”

With 93% of global warming being absorbed in the oceans, we face perilous changes. As terrestrial beings, we don't have daily experiences of these changes. Don Maruska, climate solver and author of "Solve Climate Change Now: Do What You Love for a Healthy Planet," will share with you what he learned in expeditions to Antarctica and the Coral Triangle. See the effects of climate change and learn why our actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize are so important. Gain insights you can share in climate conversations that motivate others to act for a healthy climate future.

Greenwashing and the Paradox of Sustainable Consumption

Communications

Dr Lauren R. Kolodziejski

Communication Studies, California Polytechnic State University

Although increasing numbers of people express an interest in sustainability and a willingness to pay more for "eco-friendly" or "green" products, they also express skepticism and distrust about green marketing due to concerns about greenwashing. Greenwashing, or the tendency for companies to make unfounded claims about the sustainability of a product or organization, undermines trust in sustainability claims (even when legitimate) and creates challenges for consumers looking to make sustainable purchases. In this talk, I will outline some of the most common appeals within greenwashing and highlight some strategies for investigating green marketing to avoid being persuaded by greenwashing.

Managing Water Scarcity Through Smart Markets

Agriculture and Food Systems; Water and Oceans

Duncan MacEwan; Brooks Ronspies

ERA Economics

California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) is reshaping how water is managed in the state, emphasizing sustainable use in the face of ongoing drought and growing demands. The tension between agricultural and environmental water needs highlights the complexity of balancing food production with ecosystem health. California's agriculture sector, a global leader in food production, faces increasing pressure to adapt to limited water resources. Smart water markets offer a promising solution, enabling more efficient allocation of scarce water while supporting both economic resilience and environmental sustainability. We provide an overview of water scarcity under a changing climate, its impact on agricultural water supply, and illustrate a new tool, called Open Water Trade, that applies a smart market for water trading.

Geeking Out for the Greater Good: How Technical Data is Communicated to Inspire Building Efficiency Actions

Communications; Energy; Built Environment

Emily Larson Kubiak

Snohomish County PUD

This presentation explores the nuances of effectively communicating data to both technical and general audiences to promote energy efficiency improvements in buildings. Drawing on case studies from programs that provide technical assistance and energy assessments to businesses in Northwest Washington, it highlights how the information gathered through these processes can inspire building and business owners to make informed decisions about improving their energy performance. While good data is vital to energy efficiency efforts, it doesn't always "speak for itself," and the way information is presented to different stakeholders plays a significant role in determining how it's acted upon. This presentation underscores the importance of effective communication skills to foster energy efficiency retrofits.

Transitioning to Zero-Emission Buses

Transportation

Geoff Straw

San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority

A presentation on how a small public transit agency is planning for, implementing and evaluating preliminary results of transitioning from diesel-powered buses to battery-electric buses.

Accounting for tropical forest carbon: how new technology increases precision and accuracy of forest carbon stocks

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

Geoffrey Fricker

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Tropical forests are carbon dense, species rich and difficult to study. Accurately accounting for tropical forest carbon, monitoring land use change, and using field data to calibrate remote sensing measurements is critical to accurately accounting for the forest carbon stocks and fluxes. Accurate and precise estimates of forest carbon are critical to national level measurement, reporting and verification for programs like UN-REDD+. New remote sensing satellites like Sentinel, GEDI and NASA's planned NISAR mission, as well as private satellite fleets like Maxar, increase temporal frequency, sharpen imagery resolution, see through clouds and give better estimates of forest carbon than ever before. The immense amounts of data produced by these next generation satellites create a new problem, requiring massive cloud computation infrastructure and artificial intelligence to handle Petabytes of new data. This talk will provide a high-level overview on the uncertainty in our current carbon estimates, and how new remote sensing satellites, cloud computation and artificial intelligence are increasing our understanding of how forest carbon is distributed in time and space.

Empowering SLOcal Environmental Advocacy w/ the Sierra Club

Science and Education; Community Engagement

Gianna Patchen

Sierra Club, Santa Lucia Chapter

Join us as the SLO Sierra Club shares widely impactful local advocacy efforts to protect people and the planet here in SLO County and beyond. Discover what's currently happening in our backyard and how everybody can find their place in local environmental advocacy. This presentation will explain who the SLO Sierra Club is, what issues and campaigns we're involved in SLO County, how these issues connect to state and federal advocacy, and how to identify where your interests, skills, and joy can find a place in these local advocacy efforts.

Sustainability Literacy, Beliefs, and Values of 1,088 Cal Poly Students

Science and Education; Campus Sustainability

Hadley Willman

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Sustainability Literacy and Culture Assessments are surveys being implemented at more and more universities. Cal Poly first administered a survey of this type to students, faculty, and staff in 2018 and again in 2022. In 2023 and 2024, key faculty and staff worked diligently to update the survey so that it could be relaunched at a bigger and better capacity, and it was administered to 1,088 students, or 5% of the student population. These assessments help faculty and staff better understand students' sustainability knowledge, beliefs, and values, and whether Cal Poly curriculum is a driving force in higher literacy scores. This helps Cal Poly better adapt curriculum to include sustainability topics and modules. Learn more about the results of the 2023-24 assessment in this session.

Adaptation to Sea-Level Rise through Land Reclamation

Built Environment; Water and Oceans

Hamed Ghoddusi; Amir Hajrasoulhia

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

We will discuss how land reclamation in the Bay Area may provide double benefits of protection against sea-level rise and providing additional land for housing and public service. On the other hand, such initiative face multiple layers of environmental regulations and technical challenges. In the talk, we will briefly review global experiences and then zoom in to discuss potential options to implement land reclamation projects, and the costs/benefits of such investments.

Recycling 101: Environmental Education for a Waste Conscious Future Collaboration, and Community

Waste

Hope Springer

Thurston County Public Works

This session will provide a foundational "Recycling 101" overview, focusing on the basics of recycling and waste markets, common misconceptions, and the critical role that environmental education plays in improving recycling rates and reducing waste. This talk is for those who are interested in learning how to collectively work towards a more sustainable and waste-conscious future.

Evaluation of 200 Fleet and 100 Public Charging Utility Projects

Transportation

Jason Micah Greenblatt

Energetics CleaResult

Jason Greenblatt will discuss trends of approximately 150 commercial fleet (>Class 2) and 75 light duty (public and workplace Level 2 and DC Fast) EV charging projects stemming from California SB350 Investor Owned Utility investments over the past three years. At least two more years of reporting on these programs are to come. The State of California has allocated almost one billion dollars for the utilities to spend on these projects. At the close of 2024 (for which our team is now beginning a new report on) Utilities have completed nearly 50% of their goals related fleet projects and 75% of the light duty projects based on quarterly public advisory committee meetings they each host. The continued completion of projects year on year allows for a unique opportunity at times to consider how long public or fleet EV charging takes to reach proficient EV operations. This is exemplified in rates of consumption and load factor for public charging and adherence to Time of Use (TOU) utility pricing for fleets. One variable has to do with “handing off the baton” of different fleet project phases (planning, construction and operations) that present knowledge gaps limiting the climate and economic benefits often marketed to fleets. Over time some fleets choose to start using load managed charging in support of seeking lower cost energy that is often aligned with high renewable energy penetration. The public charging portfolio has several nuances worth characterizing. One important to California climate goals is that some of these projects provide TOU pricing directly to EV drivers which may in time influence when they charge to align with low cost utility rates relevant to high renewable energy penetration. One point of conversation Jason would like to raise is to what extent retail pricing and communication strategies may influence an EV driver to charge at a given location. The most recent report dives into direct results of energy and power usage on utility bills. The talk will pull from public examples within recent reporting on projects discussed. We will look at real data oriented summaries the look at recent utility bill costs to estimate how much money fleets could have saved if they engaged in managed charging. Hint: some fleets could save over 50% moving forwards.

The Case for Performance Guidelines

Built Environment

Jay Gentry

Passive House California

Nearly all Jurisdiction General or Specific Plans have design guidelines. I would like to share the key reasons for also incorporating performance guidelines has a major impact on mitigation of Climate Change and on the adaption to the impacts of Climate Change... particularly for affordable multifamily residents. Requiring performance guidelines for the design, construction and/or retrofitting of residential and other buildings to the high-performance standards of Passive House will dramatically reduce the future damage from extreme weather, wind, and wildfires. Firemen in LA have noted that over half of the buildings burned in the recent wildfires caught fire from the inside rather than the exterior. Performance guidelines that include Passive House Principles for airtightness of the envelope, climate specific insulation, and the avoidance of thermal bridges make it far less likely for embers and/or extremely high temperature air to intrude and drive combustion from inside. Presentation Content: - Key elements of high performance --- operational energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and resilience to extreme weather, wildfires, smoke, and power outages - The Passive House Protocols that deliver high performance --- airtightness of the envelope, climate specific insulation, elimination of thermal bridges, and balanced mechanical ventilation with continuous fresh and filtered air - Scalability of high performing buildings --- ADUs, single-family residences, multifamily buildings, schools, commercial/office buildings, etc. - Evidence based performance --- including the integration of Passive House Protocols with other building certifications associated with sustainability - The logic of requiring performance guidelines --- jurisdictional plan guidelines and/or owner's project requirements (OPRs) - Three steps to high performing buildings --- 1. Consideration of what is possible, 2. Choosing desired performance requirements, 3. Celebrating the comfort, health, and resilience

Climate and Resiliency: Acting and Planning

Campus Sustainability

Jewel Persad; Jim Caesar

UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara is currently working on updating our Climate Action plan to address new UC-wide policy that requires us to cut GHG emissions 90% from 2019 levels by 2045 without the use of offsets. During the talk we will discuss some of our initial projections and potential strategies as well as our Climate Resiliency efforts. UC Santa Barbara has been working on integrating Climate Resiliency planning with a dynamic team of Climate Action Fellows, Environmental Health and Safety, and Sustainability. The Campus helped develop and piloted a Climate Hazard Vulnerability Assessment for the UC system. UC Santa Barbara's Campus Emergency Manager and Climate Action Fellow also relaunched the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program after a hiatus during COVID-19 to equip students with essential emergency preparedness skills, promote helping the community during natural hazards, and to increase climate resilience.

The Local Impact of Your Grocery Store

Agriculture and Food Systems

Jonathan Tan

Ratio Institute

The grocery store we shop at is possibly the highest emitter of emissions in our respective neighborhood. Learn how our grocery stores are the nexus for sustainability and Five easy practices to reduce their greenhouse gas impact.

Offshore Wind Energy off the California Central Coast

Energy

June McIvor

Invenergy

An overview of the Even Keel Wind offshore wind energy project and answers to common questions about offshore wind.

Climate Leadership in Action: Transforming California's Future through CSU's Climate Change Initiative

Campus Sustainability

Kai Burrus; Aritree Samanta; Autumn Thoyre

SFSU

Join us for an engaging and collaborative exploration of the California State University's climate change leadership program. This interactive workshop will challenge participants to envision and actively shape the future of climate action across California's largest public university system. Through dynamic discussions and collaborative activities, we'll unpack our CSU - Climate Change proposal, highlighting its innovative approach to cultivating a diverse, interdisciplinary climate change workforce. Participants will dive into the critical mission of preparing 650,000 graduates to become climate change leaders, exploring how our campuses are already making meaningful impacts and envisioning the transformative potential of the proposed initiatives. We'll examine key strategies including climate change curriculum development, research grants, student fellowships, and cross-campus collaborations that aim to create a more equitable and comprehensive approach to addressing climate challenges. This workshop is designed for students, faculty, and staff who are passionate about climate action and eager to contribute to systemic change. Come prepared to share your campus experiences, dream big about potential solutions, and provide critical feedback that will help shape the future of climate leadership in the CSU system.

Partner for Climate Action: Learn, Lead, Activate

Science and Education; Community Engagement

Kurt Holland

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Participants will explore two impactful community based climate action projects built on collaboration between natural resource professionals and educators. Participants will leave with three solutions focused tools to turn their good intentions into meaningful climate action. Ongoing assistance will be offered to attendees standing up projects or seeking partners in North America.

Leveraging BAS Tools to Identify Operational Deficiencies

Built Environment; Campus Sustainability

Lalo Ocampo

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

This presentation will explore how Building Automation System (BAS) tools, specifically Siemens graphics, trending, and alarms, are essential for identifying and addressing HVAC operational deficiencies across a university campus. Using real-world examples, we will demonstrate how these tools help detect issues such as economizer malfunctions and inadvertent HVAC system operation during unoccupied periods. By leveraging these BAS features, we can improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure optimal comfort for building occupants.

A dynamic platform for tracking carbon in every tree for digital MRV

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

LeBienfaiteur Sagang

CTrees

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are vital for global climate regulation, serving as major carbon sinks while simultaneously supporting biodiversity conservation. Leveraging satellite imagery, extensive field data, and advanced geospatial modeling, the California-based nonprofit CTrees leads the way in providing scalable and transparent NbS data and insights. By precisely quantifying forest carbon stocks and systematically monitoring deforestation, degradation, fires, and forest regeneration, CTrees delivers accurate carbon accounting at scales ranging from individual trees to entire jurisdictions. In turn, these tools empower policy- and decision-makers, businesses, government agencies, and conservationists with actionable data to achieve net-zero targets, validate carbon credits, and advance sustainable forestry practices. In this session, we will delve into the methodological approaches that underpin CTrees' data products. Additionally, we will highlight a specific case study showcasing our ongoing partnership with local institutions in the Congo Basin rainforest --- a collaboration that has enhanced carbon accounting accuracy and supported capacity-building efforts in the region.

Making Energy Sustainability Innovation Real at Stanford

Energy; Built Environment; Campus Sustainability

Lincoln Bleveans

Stanford University

Climate change is changing everything at Stanford University, with comprehensive decarbonization at the forefront. In 2015, we commissioned a first-of-its-kind, $500 million district thermal energy system. That system, in turn, is now powered by 100% renewable energy. In the meantime, we are pushing the envelope of building energy efficiency and instrumentation and control across a diverse and demanding built environment. And we’ve only just begun – from transportation electrification to resource recovery to deep digitalization – for Stanford’s 24/7 operational benefit; to meet our aggressive sustainability, resilience, and justice goals; and as a living lab and global exemplar. My presentation brings the audience along for a deep dive into Stanford’s one-of-a-kind sustainability, operational decarbonization, and district energy journey. It’s a challenging and wonderful ride and, again, we have only just begun.

Climate Resiliency: through sequestration and hydrologic adaption

Agriculture and Food Systems

Lindsay Ringer

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Our objective is to facilitate nature-based solutions for carbon sequestration in both soil and biomass by developing a spatial decision-support tool based on the latest climate, agriculture and restoration. We will develop restoration design protocols for landscape-scale application of climate-smart land management practices; with an initial focus on oak planting (Parikh and Gale 1998), riparian restoration (Griggs and Gilbart 2009), reduced tilling (Derpsch et al 2010), and compost application (Curtis and Claassen 2009 ). This tool will focus on place-based climate solutions that are best suited to the California Central Coast and consider these NRCS practices that are most likely to be implemented. Carbon farming is a suite of practices identified by the Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS) for improving soil health and sequestering carbon while producing important co-benefits; including increased soil water holding capacity, watershed function, biodiversity, and resilience (Wiesmeier et al 2019). Soil Carbon is directly related to land use, soil type, bulk density, soil type, and mean annual precipitation (Hobley and Wilson 2016). To increase successful implementation of these practices, we are also creating suitability mapping for hydrologic adaptation in 2024-2025. These NRCS practices include on-farm recharge, continuous contour trenching, sediment basins, and beaver dam analogues. The end goal of our project is a decision support geospatial tool, so there will be outreach to engage RCD and NRCS offices on the Central Coast throughout the process of developing the climate adaptation tool.

The Pathway to Perdition: How the California Independent System Operator's Pathways Plan will prevent California from reaching its climate and GHG emissions reductions goals

Energy

Loretta Lynch

California Public Utilities Commission

The CAISO and its interested ""stakeholders"" have planned for years to escape California's control by giving away the CAISO's power to run its current CA-only electricity market to a regional, non-California new entity. Now a bill is set to be introduced in the CA Legislature to give away CA's control to a non-CA western entity that will cede California's power to set the rules for how CAISO operates California's electricity market and its transmission grid to an entity entirely outside California's laws or control. My presentation shows how giving away California's power over its electricity markets and expanding the current California-only geographical footprint will likely destroy California's Renewable energy Portfolio Standards and will allow the Trump FERC and DOE to require that CA not only accept, but also subsidize coal-fired electricity into California. California policymakers should resist any proposal to give away its power to the Trump FERC and instead should prioritize protecting California's consumers, environment and laws.

MEP Coordinators: a Contractor's secret for making things work

Built Environment

Lyn Gomes

DPR Construction

Although MEP Coordinators aren't well known as a career option, they have been around for over 20 years. This career is a great option for engineering and computer science majors, as well as technically-minded students in industrial technology and construction management.Lyn Gomes, a Cal Poly Alum (ME 2001) and MEP Coordinator with DPR Construction, will cover the career path for aspiring MEP Coordinators, how they increase quality in MEP systems, and how they support DPR' sustainability efforts for building energy efficient buildings.

Environmental Benefit Assessment of Biochar

Agriculture and Food Systems

Maia Petrovic

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Biochar, the product of organic matter combustion under anaerobic conditions, presents a potentially groundbreaking advancement for sustainability in agriculture. Serving as a carbon sink, it offers numerous agricultural benefits and potential economic gains for farmers, alongside the ability to generate renewable energy during production. However, it's essential to consider the environmental costs associated with its production and use. This talk explores the environmental tradeoffs of biochar using Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), considering its environmental impact from cradle to grave.

Developing technologies in environmental monitoring - LiDAR multispectral imagery fusion

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

Marc Horney

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Demonstration of Cal Poly SLO's Geospatial Systems Lab current work in wildland fuels monitoring and classification using ultra-high density LiDAR and imagery. Prospects for detecting and monitoring other fine-scale environmental changes in critical areas.

Using surfing as a motivator for protecting critical carbon-storing coastal ecosystems

Communications; Water and Oceans; Community Engagement

Marissa Miller

Conservation International

Using surfing as an anchor and a motivator for conservation, Conservation International and partners around the world are pioneering an innovative and exciting approach to increase protection for critical carbon-storing coastal ecosystems like mangroves, seagrasses, kelp, and coastal forests. Learn more about the intersection of protecting our favorite outdoor playgrounds while securing a safe and resilient climate for future generations, all while centering the rights and livelihoods of local communities to create equitable and lasting impact on coastlines around the world. By tackling climate change through the exciting lens of something as fun as surfing, how can we shift the narrative to think more positively about how we create a healthy and resilient future for us all?

Escaping the Fractal Carbon Trap

Science and Education

Matthew Hoffmann

University of Toronto

Understanding and responding to the challenges of climate change for societies across the globe is a key concern for researchers across the social sciences. Despite the wealth of irrefutable climate science, technological innovations in non-emitting technologies, and engineering breakthroughs, the global governance system has been slow to respond, failing to produce an effective global response.This talk will discuss innovative research on pathways to decarbonization and climate justice that examines the problem of why so many responses to climate change stall or backtrack. Drawing on a multi-year research project with an international network of scholars investigating climate politics in a variety of urban, subnational, and international contexts the talk explores possibilities for catalyzing transformative change as we navigate the climate emergency.

Digitization enabling Sustainability for Agriculture and Construction

Agriculture and Food Systems

Michael Gomes

Topcon Positioning Systems

Digitization enabling Sustainability for Agriculture and Construction

Sustainable Land Initiative: Solutions for Climate Smart Ag

Agriculture and Food Systems

Michael Larcher

cBrain

USLTRCD launched the Sustainable Land Initiative (SLI) in 2022 and has spent the past couple of years increasing the engagement with local stakeholders to address their concerns and interest in adopting climate smart agricultural practices. The process has reduced administrative time, improved the efficiency of delivery of resource such as compost, mulch, and biochar, and garnered the interest of other agencies and funding sources. USLTRCD hopes to expand the platform to other resource conservation districts on the Central Coast and throughout California.

Removing Barriers to Achieving Climate Objectives with Artificial Intelligence

Science and Education

Michael Larcher

cBrain

For every five clean energy projects already funded, four are stuck in permitting. We cannot achieve our environmental objectives if we aren't allowed to do what is necessary. This presentation will focus on how the Danish Environmental Protection Agency digitalized their permitting process and integrated Artificial Intelligence to accelerate approvals while at the same time increasing thoroughness of environmental assessments.

Transforming waste into wealth: Creating a circular future

Business Sustainability

Mike Ferrari

Consortium for Waste Circularity

In this engaging presentation, we will explore the innovative approach of creating a circular economy by harnessing the power of Regenerative Robust Gasification (RRG) Printing and packaging is a complex industry with cross linked polymer plates, multilayer materials, coatings, adhesives, barrier layers, fitments, inks,etc. to create performance and cost advantages. Until now all these create a challenge to have a circular ""end of life"" solution. Other industries such as textiles, medical, building & construction also face recycling difficulties with the current infrastructure emerges as a transformative technology that not only addresses waste but also unlocks economic opportunities. This presentation will discuss how the Consortium For Waste Circularity is aligning the industry to deal with all organic waste, not just plastics that end up on our landfills an incinerators to create a world without waste.

Economic Considerations for Climate Smart Practices

Agriculture and Food Systems

Mike McCullough; Carver Tunnell

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

We discuss different economic cost and benefits to consider when choosing to adopt climate smart farming practices. Practices such as applications of biochar, composting, cover crops, dry farming etc. are examined with an interest in knowing why they do not have more widespread adoption.

Sustainable Energy – Recent Advances, Business Trends, Opportunities and Challenges

Business Sustainability

Nate Kirchofer; Daniel Thompson

BioZen Batteries, Inc.; Schneider

This panel will explore potential new turning points in the intersection of renewable energy (RE) and climate change. Among others, we will discuss the realistic prospects of large-scale storage, the impact of battery cost declines on grid integration and EV adoption, and whether hydrogen remains a viable solution in the energy transition. We will examine how scalability challenges, supply chain constraints, and geopolitical uncertainties shape the future of renewables. Additionally, we will discuss the role of AI in optimizing energy markets and its potential to transform both supply and demand. Finally, the panel will reflect on lessons from past renewable energy business models and what insights can guide future investments and policy decisions.

Green Campus Impact

Campus Sustainability; Community Engagement

Nereida Herrera

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

A discussion on the impact and continued efforts being made by Green Campus, a student intern team under the Energy Utilities and Sustainability Department. Green Campus has several impacts and ongoing efforts focused on energy efficiency, water conservation, campus reuse, and student engagement with several plans for the future.

Women Leading the Way in Climate Justice Organizing

Environmental Justice; Community Engagement

Osprey Orielle Lake

Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)

Because of unequal gender norms globally, women are impacted first and worst byclimatechange, and yet, one of the untold stories is how incredibly vital women are to local and global solutions. In this talk, Osprey will also be discussingher new book, "The Story is in Our Bones: How Worldviews and Climate Justice Can Remake a World in Crisis", and exploring themes of intersectional Climate Justice movement building and visions for a healthy and just path forward.

What about the other 7 Billion?

Environmental Justice

Pete Schwartz

Cal Poly

When we talk about sustainability, it’s usually about technologies and societal restructuring for the richest billion people. Do you think they will also affect global sustainability? Consider how much time and thought you’ve dedicated to the present and future lives of the global poor with regard to sustainability. What should happen with the other “7 billion”? What is our responsibility in the matter? What do you want to do? Please spend 10 minutes on this question. Write some thoughts. Bring to class.

Art, Science, and an Aesthetics of Resilience

Communications

Rachel Nelson

UCSC Institute of the Arts and Sciences

A central challenge has emerged in confronting the realities of the rapidly changing climate in California: while it is evident that scientific and technological solutions are urgently needed to mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, a large-scale psychological adaptation-- and a change in social behaviors--is equally important. Addressing this dilemma, Aesthetics of Resilience is an initiative designed to bring artists and scientists together to promote social and cultural change. This talk will discuss the model of collaboration being developed through art and science and our attempts to influence the perception of social and historical structures which leave some communities particularly vulnerable to climate change.

Regenerative Family Farming at Scale

Agriculture and Food Systems

Rosie Burroughs

Burroughs Family Farms

Burroughs Family Orchards (BFO) is a family partnership between Ward and Rose Marie Burroughs and their daughter, Benina Montes. Benina started farming almonds with her father on their farm in 2002. In 2006 Benina started transitioning the first almond blocks to organic and by 2015 the whole farm was certified. In June of 2022, the farm was certified Regenerative Organic by the Regenerative Organic Alliance. In 2024, BFO became the first farm to hold dual certifications, earning their Regenified Certification, further solidifying their leadership and commitment to advancing regenerative practices. Learn more about how regenerative practices in agriculture have scaled at BFO.

Sustainable packaging – is it truly possible?

Business Sustainability

Sandeep Kulkarni

Ubuntoo

Packaging, particularly plastic packaging, has become a lightning rod for environmentalists and consumers, as issues like waste and plastic pollution become increasingly obvious and painful all over the world. This presentation will look at the role of packaging in the current economy and approaches towards sustainable packaging, so that it does not end up as waste at the end of the it's useful life. Topics such as recyclable packaging, compostable packaging and reusable packaging will be discussed in this presentation.

Environmental Justice in Tech Jamboard

Environmental Justice

Sanjana Paul

EarthHacks

This is an active brainstorming based activity where we ask participants to rapidly brainstorm thoughts in response to questions surrounding the intersection of environmental justice concepts and technology.

Feasibility of Current Technologies for Minimizing Production Externalities in Dairy Production

Agriculture and Food Systems

Sean Hurley

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

The dairy industry is currently searching for new technologies to reduce its impact on the environment. This talk discusses multiple technologies the dairy industry is currently exploring to mitigate the effects of production. The focus of the discussion is on the economic feasibility questions dairy producers need answered before adopting these technologies on an industry level.

Harnessing Carbon Markets and Regenerative Agriculture to Drive Climate Solutions

Business Sustainability; Agriculture and Food Systems

Shelley Northrop

Boomitra

Carbon markets are often misunderstood, but they can be powerful tools in the fight against climate change. This session will explore the mechanics of carbon markets, the critical role of nature-based carbon projects, and how AI is enabling scalable solutions. By harnessing regenerative agriculture and soil's immense potential to capture and store carbon, innovative approaches are driving significant climate action. Learn how companies like Boomitra are working with farmers on the front lines of the climate crisis to restore ecosystems and drive meaningful change. We'll also highlight career opportunities in this growing field---and how you can get involved.

What role can global forest carbon markets play in emissions reductions?

Geospatial and Forest Carbon Accounting

Torrey Sanseverino

BeZero Carbon

Forest-based solutions are believed to be able to mitigate four gigatonnes of CO2e by 2030, about 27% of the mitigation necessary to avoid a climate catastrophe. Nevertheless, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) activities struggle to receive finance (UNEP, 2022). Carbon markets have the potential to reduce this financial gap. COP29 established further rules for the global trade of carbon credits under Article 6. But not without some challenges.During this presentation, I'll discuss the challenges Article 6 markets face in funnelling finance towards high integrity REDD+ projects and the learnings to apply from voluntary carbon markets including transparency, analytical systems, and spatial analysis tools.

How to Become a Sustainability Advocate in the Built Environment - A 'Fireside' Chat

Built Environment

Travis McDaniel, PE, BCxP

Guttmann and Blaevoet

This session will differ from the standard presentation format, and instead by an open-ended discussion driven by YOU the audience. Questions are encouraged around how recent grads can advance a career in sustainability, coursework and involvement for current students, what career options exist, what does a "insert job title" really do, or how do I predict a buildings any use anyway? Any questions related to sustainability in the built environment are fair game. Submitting your questions to the speaker early greatly increases your question will be discussed!

Climate Action in California's Water-Energy Nexus

Energy; Water and Oceans

Tyler Anthony

California Department of Water Resources

An overview of the Water-Energy nexus in California, adaptation and mitigation actions underway in the nexus in response to climate change, and the opportunities to participate in these actions for students, educators, and general members of the public.

All Hands on Deck to Meet the Green Skills Gap: Engaging Faculty and Students in Curricular Change

Science and Education

Victoria Matthew; Emma Telepo

Engineering for One Planet

Universities and colleges across the country are increasingly recognizing the importance of integrating sustainability into engineering education to address national and global sustainability challenges and the green skills gap. As a result, we are seeing a growing number of sustainability-focused offerings on campuses. While a good start, interviews with engineering students proved that these offerings are not enough to provide them with the skills or knowledge they need and want.

Talk Title

Tracks

Speaker Name

Title

Organization

Description

Conference Opening: The Politics of Climate Change and the Future of Offshore Wind in California

Plenary

John Laird

Senator

CA State Senate

After some brief opening remarks by ICLR Director Erin Pearse, CA Senator John Laird will speak on the following:

Climate change is impacting California, with climate-driven ocean acidification threatening ocean health, unprecedented wildfires, and dramatic shifts from historical droughts to historic floods. The Central Coast is particularly effected. To help address these concerns, the State Legislature passed several laws, including Senator Laird's 2022 legislation (SB 1080), accelerating renewable energy goals to 90% by 2035 and 95% by 2040. Additionally, the state is working towards transitioning to offshore wind power, which is scheduled to coincide with the decommissioning of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County. This discussion explores California's political efforts to combat the climate crisis in the halls of Sacramento and beyond, as seen through the perspective of State Senator John Laird, the former CA Secretary for Natural Resources under former Governor Jerry Brown, an international climate leader.

Bending the Curve and Bouncing Back from the Climate Crisis

Plenary

Dr. Veerabhadran Ramanathan

Distinguished Research Professor, Climate Sciences

Scripps Institute of Oceanography, UCSD

We are now witnessing large scale amplification of warming-driven extreme weather events, impacting close to 5 billion people. Fossil fuels, the major source of warming, are still contributing more than 78% of global energy. The current approach that concentrates mainly on mitigation of emissions is not adequate. I will describe a much broader approach for bouncing back from the crisis cleaner, healthier, and stronger. It will target climate resilience, built on three pillars: Mitigation, Adaptation and Societal transformation. Mitigation to reduce risks; Adaptation to cope with unavoidable risks and Societal Transformation to educate and prepare the public for urgent climate actions. These climate actions require an investment of about $3000 to $6000 billion dollars. Because of the lack of massive public support (at least in the USA) for such investments, Societal Transformation is emerging to the top of the research/policy agenda. Societal transformation solutions include Climate Education for All from children to senior citizens; changing the climate change narrative to public health impacts & property damages; focusing on actions such as avoiding waste; cleaner and more technologically advanced America; a sustainable future for all including the poorest 3 billion. I am working with the Vatican to form alliance with local to regional faith leaders in the US to unpack climate change from all the other issues that has divided our Nation. In 2014, I chaired a team of 50 UC faculty  to create the Bending the Curve: Climate Education program, for college students; private sector leaders; and college educated public.

Climate Justice on California's Central Coast

Plenary

David Pellow

Distinguished Professor and Dehlsen Chair

University of California Santa Barbara

This presentation offers an exploration of climate justice movements among California's Central Coast BIPOC communities, with a focus on the Central California Climate Justice Network's campaign to create a Green New Deal. The talk will discuss the origins of the campaign and its inspiring vision of a sustainable, equitable, resilient regional economy.

Built This Way: Why our buildings contribute so much to climate change and how this knowledge can guide us forward

Plenary, Built Environment

Amanda Smith

Senior Scientist, Built Environment

Project Drawdown

We know buildings must decarbonize to move toward a healthier planetary future. However, there are vastly different estimates of how much of our global emissions should be attributed to buildings, and differing opinions on which solutions are most important. Project Drawdown provides the global picture of emissions tied to the buildings sector. In this presentation you’ll learn about processes that generate greenhouse gases and how they connect to processes in building design, construction, and operation. Many of these emissions actually occur outside of the building, in completely different sectors. 

A deeper look at the connections between buildings and emissions reveals a paradox: Each climate problem contains the kernel of a possible solution, and each possible solution contains the kernel of another environmental problem. The key to transforming the building stock lies in understanding how buildings function and why they’re built the way they are. The buildings sector must change its ways because of climate change, and this presents an opportunity to find new ways that keep us healthy, connected to each other, and connected to the earth.

Climate Emergency: How can California lead the world for accelerated, equitable climate action?

Plenary/Energy/Policy

Ellie Cohen

CEO

The Climate Center

This presentation will explore on The Climate Center’s collaborative partnerships focused on state policy – from community energy resilience to natural climate solutions including how we measure success.

From Smartphones to Satellites: Leveraging Digital Sensing Technologies for Climate Adaptation

Forest Carbon and Earth Observation

Aakash Ahamed

CTO

Working Trees

Tree inventories are a cornerstone of forest science and management. Inventories are essential for quantifying forest growth rates, determining biomass and carbon stock accumulation, assessing species diversity, and evaluating impacts of both forest management and climate change. Recent advances in digital sensing technologies on mobile phones have the potential to improve traditional forest inventories through increased efficiency in measurement and transcription, and through potentially increasing participation in data collection by non-experts. However, the degree to which digital sensing tools (e.g. smartphone applications) can accurately determine the tree parameters measured during forest inventories remains unclear. In this study, we assess the ability of a smartphone application to perform a user-assisted tree inventory, and compare digital estimates of tree diameter to measurements made using traditional forestry field sampling approaches. Results suggest that digital sensing tools on mobile phones can accurately measure tree diameter (R2 = 0.95; RMSE = 2.7 cm compared to manual measurements), while saving time during both the data collection stage and data entry stage of field sampling. Importantly, we compare measurements of the same tree across users of the phone application in order to determine the per-user, per-tree, and per-species uncertainty. Results suggest that digital technologies have the potential to facilitate efficient collection of high-quality and auditable data, collected by non-experts, but with some important limitations compared to traditional tree measurement approaches. High quality, broadly accessible, and efficient field data collected through mobile phones can in turn improve our understanding of tree growth and biomass accumulation, and the key factors (e.g. climate change or management practices) that affect these processes. Thus, accurate and usable digital tree inventory tools that can be broadly accessible stand to advance forest science and management.

Climate Action: Students Working for Community Good in the CA College Corps Program

Campus Sustainability

Amelia Velazquez, Lilly Fulton, Olivia Everett

Fellows

CA College Corps Program

The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps will help create debt-free pathways to college while engaging students across the state in solving problems in their communities. This first of its kind initiative was launched in partnership with California colleges and universities. Over the next four years these partner campuses will deploy more than 10,000 College Corps Fellows to tackle statewide challenges, and for the first time, they are proud to include AB 540 CA Dream Act Students in a state service program. College Corps annually provides more than 10,000 college students with opportunities to support and learn from community-based organizations working in three priority areas: K-12 education, climate action and food insecurity.

This initiative has three core goals:  1. Create a generation of civic-minded leaders with the ability to bridge divides and solve problems, 2. Help low income students graduate college on time and with less debt, 3. Address societal challenges and help build more equitable communities across California.

This panel discussion will feature multiple 2022-2023 CA College Corps Fellows, each of which was partnered with a local organization for the academic year in order to advance 1+ of the 3 programmatic goals in their community. Learn more about the meaningful work each student did, and the impact the program is having on students, communities, and the state overall.

What’s for Dinner? Food in 2050- Impact of Climate on California’s Food Chain

Agriculture

Anastasia Telesetsky

Professor

Cal Poly

This short presentation will share both the climate challenges facing California’s production of food and some proposed solutions to address keeping our food system resilient and dinner on the table.

U.S. Department of Energy National Community Solar Partnership & Workforce Development

Energy

Anastasiya Poplavska

Science and Technology Fellow

US Department of Energy

Community solar allows energy users to subscribe to a shared system of solar panels, often located within their community and can bring the benefits of renewable energy to all households, regardless of whether the household can install solar on its own roof. Because of additional project costs and, sometimes mistrust, it can be difficult for developers or municipalities to provide equitable deployment of community solar to low-income households. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Community Solar Partnership (NCSP) is a coalition of community solar stakeholders working to expand access to affordable community solar. The NCSP set a target to enable community solar systems to power the equivalent of five million households by 2025 and create $1 billion in energy savings for subscribers, which represents a 700% increase in community solar capacity and an average 20% bill savings.

Beyond putting more gigawatts of community solar on the grid, the NCSP is focused on ensuring that all community solar subscriptions provide meaningful benefits to subscribers and their communities, including: greater bill savings, low- to moderate-income household access, resilience and grid benefits, community ownership, and equitable workforce development. Regarding workforce development, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) also supports efforts to prepare and sustain a skilled and diverse clean energy workforce. Workforce development initiatives and partnerships funded by SETO include online and in-person training and education programs, work-based learning opportunities such as internships and apprenticeships, collegiate competitions, certification programs, and support services such as career counseling, mentorship, and job readiness.

The goals of this session are: 1) to learn about the impacts of the meaningful benefits of community solar from federal, state, lender, and developer perspectives; 2) to be informed about a new federal effort to streamline low income customer acquisition and access and expand the low income community solar market in partner states; 3) to understand the challenges and opportunities in bringing the message of community solar and its benefits to customer bases, especially those in low- to moderate-income households; 4) to learn about SETO’s recent workforce activities that enable the accelerated deployment of solar technologies, while advancing priorities around equity, job quality, and union participation.

A "nutrition label" for energy

Business, Energy

Andrew DeMille

COO & Co-Founder

Quantum Energy, Inc.

Imagine trying to make healthy decisions about food based on cost and calories alone. No real insights into the carbohydrates, fats, added sugars... the IMPACTs your food will have on your body. Do you see a problem here? A similar problem is facing the energy industry. Energy decision-makers from corporations, cities, utilities and governments are being tasked with investing trillions into our clean energy future, based mostly on cost and carbon emissions alone. No real insights into air pollution, water pollution, climate change impacts and more... the IMPACTS their energy decisions will have on you, me, our children and our planet.

The energy industry needs a "nutrition label" to make optimal energy decision for profit, people and planet. Quantum Energy, Inc. is the developer of the TotalView Energy Platform Software and API. Our vision is to bring this "nutrition label" to the fingertips of energy decision makers globally.

Climate Change in a Warming World: Legislative Solutions to the Climate Crisis

Business

Andrew Ellis

Climate Business Working Group Leadership Team

The Climate Reality Project

Please join Mr. Ellis for a virtual presentation, including a brief update from NOAA’s ARTCIC REPORT CARD that summarizes conditions affecting communities in the Arctic. Mr. Ellis will also cover new climate research affecting both the South and North Poles. Mr. Ellis will conclude his remarks with a discussion of the long-range impact of programs to reduce carbon emissions for individuals and businesses found in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

Agroforestry Crop Mapping Reference Data: Applications to the NASA SERVIR program

Forest Carbon and Earth Observation

Andrew Fricker

Professor

Cal Poly

The last century was marked by accelerated expansion of the Amazon’s agriculture frontier, catalyzed by government-sponsored migration, the establishment of roads, and integration with international commodity markets. Monitoring systems that map agricultural expansion in the Amazon are critical to inform local policies and enable deforestation attribution. This presentation describes work performed as part of NASA/SERVIR’s program that aims to support monitoring systems with a focus on mapping perennial crops. The expansion of crops such as cacao, oil palm, and citrus can bring very different consequences for biodiversity, ecosystem services, and carbon fluxes. We will show the development of an open geospatial database that captures the locations of perennial crops in Ucayali, Peru. We will describe the development of a general schema, digitization, and publication of crop polygons for use by the broader remote sensing community. The use of the land cover database is demonstrated by intersecting crop polygons with Lidar observations to characterize canopy height. We also characterized heterogeneous smallholder farms.

Insects as a Sustainable Alternative Protein Source for Companion Animals

Agriculture

Anne Carlson

Founder and CEO

Jiminy's

This is an overview presentation that is a great introduction to the multifaceted topic of insect protein as a novel protein source for humans, companion and feed animals (with a focus on companion animals!). There are over 1900 identified species of edible insects. Insects are being raised for use as a food source in multiple forms (whole insect, meal, oil, etc). Even their by-products have utility as a fertilizer and a feed source. In this talk, I will discuss the history of this “new” food source and outline the various ways that insects are providing value. Benefit areas discussed include – nutrition, sustainability, taste / palatability, and humane treatment of animals.

Mainstreaming Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in urban planning

Built Environment

Anushiya J.

Adaptation and Risk Analysis

CSTEP

The resilience of urban areas and their inhabitants is under threat due to the growing environmental, social, and economic difficulties cities face. Coastal cities are particularly vulnerable to the climate change impacts including sea-level rise, storms, flooding. Rapid unscientific land use puts more pressure on urban systems; the resilience of urban natural ecosystems is negatively impacted of widespread shift in land use and land cover in urban and peri-urban areas compounding with climate hazards. Nature-based solutions (NbS) have emerged as a feasible solution for climate adaptation and resilience in coastal cities. However, it is essential to consider the local context and the potential impacts of climate change when designing and implementing NbS in coastal cities. Furthermore, effective governance, finance, and stakeholder engagement are critical components of the successful implementation of NbS in coastal cities. This work briefs mainstreaming of NbS in urban planning in Indian coastal city and its ability to bring together science-backed, land-based action, integrate stakeholder expectations and influence policymaking.

KPMG Sustainability Work

Business

Brett Hanson

KPMG Climate Advisory

KPMG

I will be discussing my experience with the various services that KPMG offers, specifically the work we are doing helping companies decarbonize, and plan their ESG strategy.

The psychology of climate change; Doomism and the culture of 'uncare'

Science and Education

Cerys Broadbent

Climate Psychologist

University of Liverpool

The roots of the climate crisis can be attributed to our perception and relationship with nature; these are both affected by the culture we live in and the language we use. Individualistic cultures are shown to have the largest carbon footprints. This talk will discuss the psychology of individualism vs collectivism, and how this has created a culture of 'uncare'. This has been exacerbated by doomism narratives that focus on hopelessness and fuel climate denial and inaction.

The Intersection of Social & Environmental Justice: How supporting local food, beverage and farm businesses prioritizes people & planet.

Environmental Justice

Claire Tuohey-Mote

Communications Director & Farm to School Coordinator

Slow Money San Luis Obispo

Slow Money SLO is a nonprofit that supports the sustainable growth of food, beverage, and farm businesses. Our work prioritizes locally owned small businesses that are mission driven to provide healthy products that often use organic and locally sourced ingredients in an effort to protect environmental health. The under served small and medium farms we work with through lending projects and/or our Farm to School Central Coast program support people and planet by either practicing organic & sustainable agriculture and/or providing fresh and nutritious food to children in participating school districts.

Can We Make Active Transportation Work in the Suburbs?

Transportation and Planning

Dave Amos

Assistant Professor

Cal Poly

Suburban land use patterns make it difficult for people to walk or bicycle to a wide variety of destinations, like work, school, and shopping. With a majority of people in the United States living in the suburbs, this poses a challenge to moving away from cars, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. This talk discusses the ways suburban land use patterns reinforce car use, and the ways communities can encourage active transportation.

Rebutting Climate Myths: Feedback Loops and Time Scales in Climate

Science and Education

Dave Camp

Professor

Cal Poly

The vast majority of climate myths propagated in climate-denial arguments are based upon poor understandings or misrepresentations of climate science in one or more of the following areas of climate science: 1) climate data records, 2) greenhouse effect, 3) feedback loops from interacting climate processes, and 4) the time scales upon which climate processes act. In this talk, we'll use climate data from the deep past to investigate the roles of feedback loops and their inherent time scales in the Earth's climate. Based on this understanding, we will explore some of the fallacies that underlie some of the common climate myths.

How SJSU is Combining Students' Basic Needs with Reducing Waste

Campus Sustainability

Debbie Andres

Sr. Sustainability Lead

San Jose State University

Today, students are more concerned about the effects of the fashion industry on our environment, while SJSU is continually striving to help meet our student basic needs. The Office of Sustainability started the Spartan Clothes Closet in the Fall of 2020 to divert clothing from landfills and to provide a resource for student to get basic clothing necessities. Since its launch, the Closet has spun-off other waste minimization/basic needs projects like Housing Move-Out/Move-In and the Share Shelf.

SLI: Connecting Lands to Climate Change Initiatives

Agriculture

Devin Best

Executive Director

Upper Salinas Las Tablas Resource Conservation District

Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) were born out of the Dust Bowl Era to assist local farmers with the stewardship of their land. As Climate Change continues to be at the forefront of policy makers, funding agencies, and community members, RCDs are playing a pivotal role in making the connection between initiatives, resiliency, and communities through the development of the Sustainable Land Initiative (SLI).  However, the limitation in the RCDs ability to meet the ever-changing demands of local communities is a condition of being reliant on the availability and cadence of grant programs, sometimes taking years to implement a single climate-smart agricultural practice. 

Success-Based Solutions for a Healthy Climate

Communications

Don Maruska

Climate Solver

Solve Climate Change Now

The public pays too much attention to the problems of climate change and not enough to the solutions that lie within our grasp. Now is not the time to despair and avoid responsibility. Now is the time to engage and take action. Learn what is working to curb greenhouse gases and what we can do to amplify those successes. Practice tools to help you reach out and mobilize more people to join in the efforts. See how together we can make a difference and have fun doing it. www.SolveClimateChangeNow.com 

Using remote sensing on forest carbon projects

Forest Carbon and Earth Observation

Fabio Secanho

Sr. Manager, Remote Sensing and GIS

Anew Climate

This talk will cover a variety of topics related to the use of remote sensing on forest carbon projects. It will include how to use remote sensing data to delineate forest carbon projects, identify different forest types, estimate carbon in remote areas, and the creation of streamside management zones (SMZs). Finally, the talk will cover important datasets used in these processes, such as satellite imagery and Lidar.

How ESG is changing the way companies do business

Business

Faiza Asifuddin

Director, ESG & Sustainability

Diligent

Environmental Social Governance is changing the way companies do business. As ESG regulations continue to emerge (and face challenges), many public and private companies are struggling to address concerns across stakeholders including investors, employees, and the communities they live and work in. Faiza Asifuddin is the Director of ESG & Sustainability at Diligent, a leading GRC software company. She heads up the company's ESG program and will share how she's implementing comprehensive and meaningful environmental and social justice initiatives while also helping to inform how other companies can do the same.

Journalism and the climate crisis: defining a pathway forward

Communications

Gabi Mocatta

Lecturer in Communication

Deakin University and University of Tasmania

Climate and environmental crises are the most pressing issues of our times. The IPCC told us in 2018 we had little more than a decade to make profound social changes necessary to avoid the most extreme effects of climate change (IPCC 2018). The ways we succeed or fail in communicating climate and environment now will have profound implications for how – or indeed whether – we accomplish what is required address the existential environmental challenges we face. Journalistic work on climate change importantly shapes the ways that people ‘understand, talk, care and act around climate change’ (Gunster et al., 2018, p. 775). Mediatised representations of climate and environment are therefore a crucial site for study in the current context. The role of media and journalism in enhancing, or obfuscating, publics’ climate literacy, and galvanising policymaking to respond to environmental harms has been extensively researched (for example, Boykoff 2011; Painter 2019; Hase et al. 2021). Journalists themselves have called for reporting to seek to ‘shape public opinion’ and ‘influence change’ (Watts, 2020), however, despite over two decades of extensive research into climate change journalism, there is still no consensus on what journalists should be doing to convey to media audiences the seriousness and urgency of the climate crisis. This talk surveys the field of climate and environmental journalism in this current crucial moment for climate action. It discusses difficult issues and positive affordances of journalism on climate change, and points to pathways forward. It investigates possible modes of journalism for the climate crisis including single subject news models, solutions journalism (Aitamurto & Varma 2018), transformative journalisms (Brüggemann et al., 2022), data journalism, engendering a sense of urgency, and defining 'responsibility' for climate harms, as well as climate action at every level of society.

This is it! Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

Environmental Justice

Gianna Patchen

Campaign Manager

Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary

Join us on the LAST day to help make the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary a reality. Proposed off the Central Coast of California, this is the first Tribally nominated national marine sanctuary in the USA. Learn more about the sanctuary campaign, what a sanctuary is, and how you can use your voice to make the Chumash Heritage Sanctuary a reality.

Curiosity, Collaboration, and Everyday Leadership: The Driving Forces of Climate Impact

Communications

Hadley Willman

Assistant Director

Cal Poly Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience

With the feeling of impending doom dominating our days in the face of the ongoing climate crisis, it can feel impossible to make a positive impact for the planet. And yet, that couldn't be further from the case. Every single person on this planet has the capacity for leadership, and by attending this webinar, it is guaranteed that you are already on the road to actualizing that leadership and being the change you want to see in real time. Curiosity, collaboration, and everyday leadership are the three things needed to make a change. All of these things are easier and more impactful than you think. Learn more about how to build on the passion you already have and work with others to accelerate change for a greener future with Hadley Willman: Assistant Director of Cal Poly's Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience, and former Creator and Director of the University Climate Ambassador program at the Global Climate Pledge and U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce.

Protective Packaging for Ecommerce Businesses

Business

Heeva Asefvaziri

Founder/CEO

Flush Packaging LLC

One of the most universal resources that all companies need - regardless of size - is packaging. If you make a physical object as part of your business, it has to go into some sort of package. The number of micro/small businesses far outweigh the number of large businesses in the United States. Unfortunately, small businesses typically do not have the same level of access to resources as large businesses do; resulting in a narrow range of viable options to choose from. In the case of safely packing and shipping fragile products, readily-available material options are not typically environmentally friendly, attractive, or all that effective. Join me as we discuss packaging and shipping challenges faced by micro/small e-commerce businesses and how Flush Packaging is working towards a future free of wasteful and ineffective packaging materials.

Choose Passive House for High-Performance Buildings

Built Environment

Jay Gentry

Board of Directors

Passive House

High-performance” is becoming recognized by industry professionals as a critical factor in the design, construction, and operation of new buildings as well as the renovation/upgrading of existing buildings. Measurable elements of performance include comfort, energy efficiency, healthy indoor air quality, resilience to extreme weather, fire, smoke, and power outages. 

Passive House is the most aggressive energy efficiency standard for the design and construction of new buildings and the retrofitting of existing buildings. This presentation will introduce Passive House principles and how those principles deliver high-performance to buildings from small to extra-large.

Back to the Basics - The Small Steps That Can Make a Big Impact on Your Transit System

Transportation and Planning

Jerome Horne

Project Manager

The Transit Center

We often think of public transit as an all-or-nothing thing: Your city is either ready to invest billions in an amazing rail system, or you might as well just give up on having any meaningful transit. But that’s not the case. Any town, big or small, can take incremental steps to grow and improve a public transit system that helps residents get around easily and comfortably. In this talk I'll explore many small steps you can take to make transit more viable in your city, whether you work for city government or you’re just a regular person who cares about your community. From building bus stop benches to considering bus rapid transit, this session will open your mind about the many ways we can improve public transportation, whatever size budget our cities may have.

Tri-County Regional Energy Network: Building an Energy Efficient Central Coast

Built Environment

Jordan Garbayo, Gray Gauteraux

Energy Programs Manager

3CRen

3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network) is a partnership between the Counties of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura established to deliver energy-saving programs and industry trainings that reduce energy use, strengthen local job markets, and support efforts to achieve climate goals. For households, 3C-REN offers energy saving rebates and resources, with an emphasis on hard-to-reach and underserved communities. For industry, 3C-REN offers free workforce training and technical code support for professionals and newcomers to the building energy space. In this presentation, attendees will learn more about the Regional Energy Network model and how 3C-REN is reinvesting ratepayer funds to build energy efficiency in the Central Coast. 

Climate Action in California's Water-Energy Nexus

Energy

Jordi Vasquez

Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)

CA Dept. of Water Resources

An overview of the Water-Energy nexus in California, adaptation and mitigation actions underway in the nexus in response to climate change, and the opportunities to participate in these actions for students, educators, and general members of the public. 

Transformational Climate Justice Action at a CSU Campus: Building Diverse Climate Leadership, Collaboration, and Community

Campus Sustainability

Kai Burrus, Aritree Samanta, Autumn Thoyre

Professor Burrus, Associate Professors Samanta and Thoyre

San Francisco State University

Climate change is the defining issue of our time and the planet. It is already impacting people's lives around the world through changes in weather, fires, sea level, ocean chemistry, energy production, infrastructure, biodiversity, and food and water security, and these impacts will increase into the future. Low-income and communities of color bear the disproportionate and worst impacts of climate change, making it inherently a justice issue. Unfortunately, while climate change causes, impacts, and solutions are inherently interdisciplinary, education, decision-making, and action on these themes has largely proceeded within disciplinary silos and not always rooted in justice. The mitigation of and adaptation to climate change will require us to break down these disciplinary barriers and anchor climate action in justice. Students, faculty, staff and community members have expressed a desire to be a part of the solution, but often do not know where to start.

Sustainability in dining programs

Campus Sustainability

Kaitlin Gibbons, Bernadette Falany-Davis

Registered Dietitian & Sustainability Coordinator (Kaitlin), Sustainability Manager Chartwells CSU Partnership (Bernadette)

Chartwells CSU Partnership, Cal Poly Campus Dining

Kaitlin will highlight recent sustainable advancements in the dining program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Bernadette will present the broader sustainability strategy and focus for the CSU Chartwells partnership. 

Decarbonizing Construction- addressing material impacts

Built Environment

Kate Simonen

Professor

University of Washington

The importance of decarbonizing structures - eliminating the emissions resulting from manufacturing, using and disposing of the materials used to construct buildings and infrastructure-is inarguable. Approximately 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to just two major structural materials, cement and steel. We will not meet global climate goals unless we address these significant material emissions. While lower carbon structural solutions are available today and novel methods and materials are emerging, the pathway to totally decarbonize structures remains uncertain.  In this context, Professor Simonen will present an examination of established methods used to enable the construction of lower carbon structures currently in practice as well as share research underway at the Carbon Leadership Forum to help inform and enable emerging material decarbonization policies and practices to scale. 

How is stormwater management producing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure?

Transportation and Planning

Kelly Gregg

Assistant Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning

University of Buffalo

This exploratory research engages stormwater management and street design. Specifically, how streets incorporate pedestrian and cyclist, improvements with stormwater goals thus producing multiple benefits for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Stormwater management is a well-articulated aspect of street design within landscape architecture practice, and civil engineering. Likewise, the National Association of Transportation Officials (NACTO) is leading transportation planning toward streets that accommodate pedestrians and cyclists. However, the expectations that streets will incorporate stormwater management and pedestrian and cyclist improvements is less clearly conceptualized. Contrary to this division, the recently completed Niagara Street Cycle track in Buffalo, NY is one such example that combines stormwater and alternative transportation goals. In building Niagara Street, the City of Buffalo leveraged funding that was available for implementation of stormwater projects due to the city’s Consent Decree status and under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many other US cities are also under an EPA Consent Decree for storm water. This initial research inventories similar street design projects within cities that have an EPA Consent Decree. From this cohort we will explore how funding sources are being leveraged to build street that incorporate stormwater management and pedestrian and cycling amenities.

Climate Education & Literacy: A Proven Pathway to Climate Action

Communications

Kurt Holland

Instructor

Cal Poly

Participants will explore three community-based climate action programs that have produced measurable and enduring results. From framing messages to launching community action programs, join us as explore how high-quality communication can change minds, build community and reduce or mitigate climate impacts. Our presentation uses California's coast locations for context, science communication as the method, and community based climate action as the goal.

Communication strategies for combating climate change fear and overwhelm

Communications

Lauren Kolodziejski

Professor

Cal Poly

This talk will outline simple communication strategies to use when trying to counteract feelings of fear or loss of hope in response to climate change news. 

Making Energy Sustainability Innovation Real at Stanford

Energy/Campus Sustainability

Lincoln Bleveans

Executive Director - Sustainability & Energy

Stanford

Climate change is changing everything at Stanford University, with comprehensive decarbonization at the forefront. In 2015, we commissioned a first-of-its-kind, $500 million district thermal energy system. That system, in turn, is now powered by 100% renewable energy. In the meantime, we are pushing the envelope of building energy efficiency and instrumentation and control across a diverse and demanding built environment. And we’ve only just begun – from transportation electrification to resource recovery to deep digitalization – for Stanford’s 24/7 operational benefit; to meet our aggressive sustainability, resilience, and justice goals; and as a living lab and global exemplar. My presentation brings the audience along for a deep dive into Stanford’s one-of-a-kind sustainability, operational decarbonization, and district energy journey. It’s a challenging and wonderful ride and, again, we have only just begun.

A nuclear-free green transition

Energy

Linda Seeley

Spokesperson

Mothers for Peace

There's a lot of talk now about needing nuclear energy to meet climate goals. Don't believe it. Nuclear power is expensive and it takes years to implement from planning to power production. In addition, nuclear power produces the most toxic substances ever created on the planet, and there is nowhere to safely store them for 200,000+ years. Using the money that's being spent on nukes and instead providing all roofs with solar panels and battery backup would be a good use of taxpayer dollars. Just in California, we have wind, geothermal, hydro, pumped storage, energy conservation and demand response to safely retire Diablo Canyon. We will explore the link between nuclear power and nuclear weapons. Questions welcomed!

Partnering with Community Farms

Agriculture

Lindsay Ringer

Professor

Cal Poly

Farm Conservation is a for profit grant-writing company founded this year to leverage partnerships and carbon farming projects on organic farms. We would like to address the critical importance of community farms in the face of climate change. Our current partners are City Farm SLO, First Fruits Farm and Avila Valley Barn. First Fruits farm is addressing food insecurity in our communities by donating fresh veggies and fruit to 7 food banks over the past 10 years. City Farm SLO is fostering community by hosting existing outreach programs like a garden for all, youth empowerment, farmer to farmer, college corps, and therapeutic horticulture. First Fruits is applying to a USDA Agricultural and Innovation grant due in March in partnership with the Food Bank and Glean SLO. City Farm SLO is considering expanding their youth empowerment programs by applying to AFRI next July with One Cool Earth, Cal Poly Initiative for Climate Leadership and Resilience, and the Center for Sustainability.

Climate smart agriculture: Creating Living Learning Labs in Higher Education

Agriculture

Lisa DePiano

Senior Lecturer

UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture

We will go through an overview what climate smart agriculture is, and the benefits of creating living learning laboratories for student exploration and innovation. This talk will use the UMass Carbon Farming Initiative, a two acre silvopasture and alleycropping outdoor classroom and demonstration site at UMass Amherst's Agriculture Learning Center as a case study.

Fair Trade Business and Climate Change

Business

LynAnne Wiest

Manager

HumanKind Fair Trade

The most impoverished people on our planet are feeling the effects of climate change more acutely than the rest of the world population. Fair Trade, a global movement and an ethical way of doing business, is working to create opportunities for these people to fight climate change, preserve natural resources, and create sustainable income so that these vulnerable populations can thrive.

SLI: Carbon Cycle Institute and the Regional Hub Program

Agriculture

Lynette Niebrugge

Associate Director, Carbon Farming Education

Carbon Cycle Institute

The Carbon Cycle Institute (CCI) advances the carbon cycle as the fundamental organizing process underlying land management and on-farm conservation in our efforts to mitigate and adapt to the global climate crisis. Their mission is to stop and reverse global climate change by advancing natural, science-verified solutions that reduce atmospheric carbon while promoting environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic sustainability. Over the last five years, CCI’s capacity building efforts have focused on building a Carbon Farming Network in California, in partnership with local Resource Conservation Districts. The CF Network has come a long way in a short period of time. To date, CCI has trained over 100 RCD carbon farm planners and helped establish nascent carbon farming programs at 32 RCDs across California. RCDs, working with farmers and ranchers in their districts, have completed 137 carbon farm plans, encompassing approximately 71,440 acres of agricultural lands, with a total estimated potential, if fully implemented, to sequester more than 1.7 million metric tons of carbon by year 20. Network members are currently working with producers in 39 counties, encompassing a diversity of climatic regions, ecosystems, soil types, and agricultural production systems, paving the way for broad adoption of carbon farming and soil health practices. Join this session with CCI's Carbon Farm Planning Manager to learn more about this important work being done.

Planting Seeds for Basic Needs: Cultivating Sustainable Food Systems and Feeding Students

Campus Sustainability

Mabel Trigueros, Sarah Johnson

Lead Sustainability Specialist; Sustainable Agriculture Technician

CSU Northridge

Food is the largest single source of municipal landfill waste. While lack of access to affordable, healthy food is one of the most pressing issues among college students. For this reason, California State University, Northridge (CSUN) has worked to reduce campus food waste while also aiming to support food security among students. The Institute for Sustainability operates a traditional 1/2 acre Garden with fruit trees and native plants as well as a hydroponic vertical shipping container garden. CSUN students benefit from the fresh produce and service learning educational experiences, and produce is donated to the campus Food Pantry. This talk will provide an overview of the program, its impact, and how it's operated.

How Renewable Energy Concepts Can Save Water

Water/Business

Marc Cortez

CEO/Co-founder

Liquid8

This discussion will show how concepts like carbon credits can be used in the water market to help companies meet their net-zero-water goals. We have created a new energy commodity called Certified Water Credits - capturing home and business' water savings - and selling those to companies who are looking to offset their water usage. The result is empowering companies with new market-based tools to meet their corporate water goals.

Teaching Climate Change and Resilience

Campus Sustainability

Mark Stemen

Professor

CSU Chico

In the Spring of 2022, 62 faculty from six different California State University campuses representing over 30 disciplines participated in the CSU Faculty Learning Community in Teaching Climate Change and Resilience, the first multi-campus faculty learning community in CSU history. The FLC heard from over 20 speakers from inside and outside academia who connected faculty with a broad range of approaches and ideas, as well as resources that were well researched, relevant, and relatable. By June of 2022, over 75 classes spanning all fields of study—from Polymers to Plato—had been redesigned to include greater engagement of climate change and resilience. A panel of participants will discuss their experience.

Visualizing Climate for NASA's Earth Information Center

Science and Education

Mark Subbarao

Lead, Scientific Visualization Studio

NASA

NASA's Earth Information Center aims to show people the Earth as NASA sees it. The hybrid (physical and virtual) exhibit is a data visualization rich experience which shows NASA data and highlights the experiences of various individuals using that data to build climate resiliency. This talk will give an overview of the Earth Information Center and highlight some of the design considerations that go into creating effective climate data visualizations.

The Power of Stories in Climate Solutions

Environmental Justice

Matt Scott

Director of Storytelling and Engagement

Project Drawdown

According to climate scientist Katherine Hayhoe, one of the most important things we can do when it comes to climate change is talk about it. While conversation is a step in the right direction, how we talk about climate and whose voices we uplift also matter. Too often the voices of those on the frontlines of the crisis—including Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color (BIPOC)—are overlooked or ignored. How can we use stories to “pass the mic” to those who frequently go unheard – and, in the process, bring effective solutions to life?

Join Project Drawdown’s director of storytelling & engagement Matt Scott to learn how and why Project Drawdown is embracing storytelling and “passing the mic” to unheard voices. Learn about the work of the Drawdown Stories program and the Drawdown’s Neighborhood documentary series, which has featured nearly 50 everyday climate heroes to date across the United States.

What is the problem with the climate stories we currently tell? Why do stories matter in climate solutions? How can stories help build power, shape culture, and change behavior? Why are BIPOC voices critical to the dialogue? How can you and your communities leverage stories to address climate change? Join this session to walk away with a better understanding of the power of stories in solutions.

Radiative Forcing and the Greenhouse Effect

Science and Education

Matthew Zoerb

Professor

Cal Poly

Planetary climate is controlled by the balance between energy flowing in and out of the Earth system. The greenhouse effect is an atmospheric process that maintains warm temperatures by retaining some of the energy provided by sunlight. Radiative forcing describes how processes shift the balance of energy by introducing warming or cooling contributions to the energy budget. These topics will be presented in the context of today’s changing climate.

Green Campus Impact Report

Campus Sustainability

Maya Sandhofer

AmeriCorps VIP Fellow

Cal Poly

Join us for a discussion of the remarkable achievements of Green Campus, a student team working under Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability here at Cal Poly. During the 2022-2023 school year, our expanded team successfully launched a variety of projects aimed at making campus more sustainable. Come hear the impacts we made on energy efficiency, water conservation, campus reuse, and student engagement, as well as our goals for the future.

Energy Demand Slashed By Electrifying Heat & Transport

Energy

Michael Barnard

Chief Strategist

TFIE Strategy Inc.

The era of molecules for energy is drawing to a close. As it exits, stage left, gliding in from the right is a new era of electricity. It's the future of all energy, and it's much more efficient. As we electrify heating and transportation and pivot to renewable generation, the amount of energy we need plummets. This is counter-intuitive because obviously electricity demand will increase. Burning coal, oil and gas for transportation, heat and electricity results in wasting a lot of the energy embodied in it. About two-thirds of all the energy that enters our economy wafts away into the sky.

SLI: Digitalizing Government Processes with cBrain

Agriculture

Michael Larcher

Solution and Sustainability Lead North America

cBrain

Improved cookstoves in Central America and their measured reduction in CO2 Emissions

Environmental Justice

Mike Hatfield

Director of Monitoring and Evaluation

StoveTeam International

StoveTeam International has distributed over 80,000 improved cookstoves in the past 15 years in Central America to replace cooking over a traditional open fire. These stoves have been found to provide many benefits to the recipients including reduced fuel use, reduced smoke in the kitchen and reduced chance of dangerous burns. Over the past three years we have added a monitoring system to our project to quantify the actual CO2 emission reductions resulting from the reduced fuel use. This system not only helps quantifies the actual impact of our work but has given us a framework and an incentive for better placement resulting in not only better analysis of our impact but improved impact in general.

A SLO Social Enterprise Nursery's approach to climate change and mental wellness

Business

Nick Deinhart

Vocational Services Director

TMHA

Wholesale nurseries can play a role in promoting positive responses to climate change by growing their offerings of draught tolerant plants. Yet, the lack of consumer demand and need for profit often prevents nurseries from leading this charge. The Growing Grounds Nursery in SLO is uniquely positioned to take up this charge by focusing on the social benefit of its businesses while offering therapeutic vocational services to County residents with mental health challenges. Staff from SLO's Growing Grounds Nursery will discuss how cultivating, nurturing, and selling drought tolerant plans using horticultural therapy practices contributes to climate change solutions.

Designing and building the world’s first fusion power plant

Energy

Nick Lima

Vice President, Engineering

Helion Energy

Helion, a fusion power company based in Everett, WA, has set an ambitious goal to build the world’s first fusion power plant and have it operating as soon as 2028. Nick Lima, Helion’s Vice President of Engineering, will provide insight into how the company approaches this goal and the parallelized engineering paths entailed to deliver electricity to the grid as fast as possible. The presentation will feature discussions related specifically to electrical and mechanical engineering design, as well as an overview of Helion’s latest progress.

Creating Manufacturing Capacity in a Poor Country for a new Green Technology

Environmental Justice

Pete Schwartz

Professor

Cal Poly

I've spent this year traveling through Africa, and Nepal (where I'm writing this abstract), in the effort to create local manufacturing capacity for a clean cooking technology we developed at Cal Poly. Multitudes of challenges provided daily lessons in what it takes to create an industry, and how my African collaborators need to change if they are to succeed. After three months in Nepal, we are poised to begin manufacturing a product for distribution, providing a template for success that will NOT be easy to replicate in Africa. Why? I have three months to unpack that before the talk.

No Clean Energy Under Extractivism

Environmental Justice, Energy

Raquel Dominguez

Circular Economy Policy Advocate

EarthWorks

For decades, mining companies have waged a rhetorical campaign to convince Global North governments, residents, and consumers that the only solution to the climate crisis is more mining and less regulations. For even longer, Indigenous and other communities on the front lines of hardrock mining extraction have been resisting this narrative and searching for alternatives to relentless extraction. Transitioning away from a fossil fuel-based economy under an extractivist, linear economic model will not be just for these communities. Instead, Global North governments at all levels should develop and implement circular economy policies prioritizing demand reduction and reusing and recycling already-extracted minerals.

Biochar: An Important Natural Climate Solution

Agriculture

Raymond Baltar

Biochar Projects Manager

Sonoma Ecology Center

The use of biochar to enhance agricultural production has been used by indigenous farmers for centuries in the Amazon and around the world. The modern movement to scale biochar production and use recognizes these important benefits, but also emphasizes its ability to help solve forestry and agronomic "waste" problems while also providing a strategy for sequestering carbon in soil and as a replacement for fossil inputs in industry. Biochar production also produces both heat and gases that can be used as renewable energy. This talk will discuss what biochar is and its multiple benefits, how it can be produced by small land holders or in larger industrial settings, and why it is considered one of the least expensive natural climate solutions available today.

SLO Climate Justice Alliance

Environmental Justice

Rita Casaverde, Eric Veium

Executive Director, Co-Founder and Chair

Diversity Coalition (SLO), SLO Climate Coalition

The San Luis Obispo County Climate Justice Alliance (SLOCCJA) is a newly founded group of nonprofit and community-based organizations united in the pursuit of environmental justice, climate resilience, and sustainability initiatives. Its goal is to ensure that every person on the Central Coast has access to a fair share of dwindling natural resources by advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the regional response to climate change. This session will provide an overview and update on the state of the Alliance.

How do technological climate solutions actually get implemented at scale?

Business

Ryan Dunfee

Engagement Manager, Buildings

ADL Ventures

Solar panels. Hydrogen-powered planes. Fusion energy. All three of these technologies offer huge potential as solutions to climate change. The first you're starting to see everywhere. The second, just a few demonstrations here and there. And the third is still very much in the research & development phase. Why?

Impactful technological solutions to climate change must get carefully ferried down a rocky road full of obstacles, potholes, unanticipated left turns, and steep hills. For students & others interested in understanding how their own careers can help climate solutions get deployed at scale, understanding what this road looks like, and where along the journey their skills are most useful, is essential. Ryan Dunfee of ADL Ventures, which focuses on building new companies to ensure decarbonization in buildings, transportation, and energy happens at scale, will speak from ADL's experience working with startups, governments, and large corporations to get climate innovations successfully adopted into the market at the scale necessary to benefit people and the planet.

Rumores Renovables: Analyzing the Online Ecosystem of Spanish-Speaking Communities Opposed to Renewable Energy Initiatives

Communications

Santiago Lakatos

Intelligence Analyst

Graphika

This talk will detail Graphika’s research on the specific dynamics of the online Spanish-language conversation that opposes renewable energy sources in the U.S. and internationally. Through social network analysis, we found that the Spanish-language anti-renewables conversation is characterized by a range of narratives, and driven by actors from Spain, Latin America, and other ideologically aligned communities. We also uncovered insights into the dynamics and tactics used to spread this discourse across platforms. 

While no coherent network exists focused solely on spreading anti-renewable narratives to U.S. audiences, influential accounts serve as bridges. Prominent narratives include claims that wildfires are being used to clear land for renewable energy projects and broad claims that renewable energy projects cause significant harm to the environment. Mirroring some key findings from our first report, these accounts aren’t exclusively focused on environmental topics – instead, they are connected by ideological affinity and shared language, focused on advancing right-wing narratives, some of which occasionally involve pushing back against renewable energies. Consistent with our previous findings, the volume of content produced by these communities correlates directly with extreme weather events or environmental policy updates featuring renewable energies. Understanding this complex ecosystem is key to communicating the risks of climate change and the measures needed to address it with Spanish-speakers in the U.S. and worldwide.

An Out of This World View of Climate Change

Science and Education

Susan Callery

Managing Editor, climate.nasa.gov

NASA JPL

See amazing photos and graphics from NASA that bring the causes and impacts of climate change into focus. 

What are Community Choice Agencies (CCAs) and How Do They Support Rooftop Solar in CA?

Energy

Taylor van Rossum, Nevia Stickney

SEI Energize College Interns

Cal Poly

Rooftop solar plays a vital role in California’s energy production, and incentivizing homeowners and businessowners to participate is a key component in the pursuit of a sustainable, clean energy future. Attend this free webinar to learn about the impact of rooftop solar and hear the results of research on the policies of 11 California Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs) on true-up, compensation, and incentives.

Commissioning for Building Energy Reduction

Built Environment

Travis McDaniel

Associate | Commissioning Co-Director

Guttmann & Blaevoet

The built environment accounts for about 76% of electricity use and 40% of all primary energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. This is more than transportation (~37%). This talk will give an overview of the Commissioning Process as a way to reduce energy consumption in new and existing buildings. We will also discuss how other roles play their part in reducing energy in buildings (engineers, contractors, building owners).

Communicating soil care to inspire collective action

Agriculture

Yamina Pressler

Professor

Cal Poly

Soils degradation is a global challenge and soil conservation is key to addressing the climate crisis. Efforts to communicate the importance of soils to humanity often focus on utilitarian values and ecosystem services that soils provide. To better understand the approaches that soil scientists use to frame arguments about soil conservation and management, we conducted a thematic review of soil editorials published in prominent scientific journals. We found that soil scientist's key messages aligned with suggested messaging from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Soil health as an outcome of soil management was a common theme, but the practice of soil care was rarely communicated explicitly. Reflecting on this communication gap, I will present two examples of how I prioritize soil care and the intrinsic values of soils in my public communication work. Both case studies (an essay series and a documentary film) aim to engage new audiences in conversations about soils. I will provide principles for building community engagement through authenticity and intentional messaging, and suggest recommendations for future soil science communication efforts to inspire collective action amidst the climate crisis.