Global Climate Action Symposium 2020
About
The second-annual Global Climate Action Symposium brought together a wide range of experts to showcase climate change solutions informed by local and global scientists, engineers, business and policy experts, student leaders, and artists. Jointly sponsored by Georgia Tech and 6 European consulates during European Climate Diplomacy Week, the event was be held virtually, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch recordings of the event here.
At a glance
Date/Time
Live events took place on October 6, 7, and 8th, 2020 from 9am – 12pm (EST)
Where
The 2020 symposium was a free, virtual event.
Schedule
See the full event agenda.
Themes
- October 6 – Climate & Ecosystems
- October 7 – Environmental Justice & Climate Justice
- October 8 – COVID-19 & Green Recovery
Schedule of Events
October 6, 2020
Climate and Ecosystems
9:00 – 9:15am (EST)
Opening Remarks
- President Cabrera, introduced by Kim Cobb, Georgia Institute of Technology
9:15 – 10:15am (EST)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Jenny McGuire, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Jérôme Gaillardet, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
- Jennifer Marlon, Yale University
- Shyla Raghav, Conservation International
- Joel Kostka, Georgia Institute of Technology
10:15 – 10:30am (EST)
Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15am (EST)
Keynote
- Jackie Mohan, University of Georgia
11:15 – 11:30am (EST)
Student Lightning Talks
11:30am – 12:00pm (EST)
Kendeda Eco-Commons Tour
Watch a recording of the Kendeda tour.
- Shan Arora, Georgia Institute of Technology
11:30am – 12:15pm (EST)
Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM) Exhibition
Watch a recording of the virtual ZKM exhibit.
“Critical Zones. Observatories for Earthly Politics”, curated by Bruno Latour and Peter Weibel with Bettina Korintenberg and Martin Guinard
- Opening remarks by Jérôme Gaillardet, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris and Louis A. Derry, Cornell University
- Barbara Kiolbassa, ZKM
October 7, 2020
Environmental Justice
9:00 – 9:15am (EST)
Opening Remarks
- Jennifer Hirsch, Georgia Tech Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain
- Axel Marx, Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies
9:15 – 10:15am (EST)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Bernie Burgener, Greenhouse Accelerator
- Marta Torre-Schaub, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- Rebecca Watts Hull, Georgia Tech Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain
- Jalonne White-Newsome, Kresge Foundation
- Eboni Preston, Greening Youth Foundation
10:15 – 10:30am (EST)
Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:15am (EST)
Keynote
- Na’Taki Osborne-Jelks, West-Atlanta Watershed Alliance
11:15 – 11:30am (EST)
Student Lightning Talks
11:30am – 12:00pm (EST)
Virtual Tour: West-Atlanta Watershed Alliance
Watch a recording of the West-Atlanta Watershed Alliance tour.
- Na’Taki Osborne-Jelks, West-Atlanta Watershed Alliance
Virtual Exhibit: Art & Climate Justice
12:00pm (EST)
Collective Writing Workshop: “Where to land after the pandemic? A self-description experience”
- Soheil Hajmirbaba, Société d’Objets Cartographiques
October 8, 2020
COVID19 and Green Recovery
9:00 – 9:05am (EST)
Opening Remarks
- Şebnem Özkan, Atlanta Global Studies Center
9:05 – 10:05am (EST)
Panel Discussion
Moderated by Marcel Beukeboom, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, the Netherlands
- Shelby Buso, City of Atlanta
- Laura Taylor, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, United Nations & UNDP
10:05 – 10:15am (EST)
Coffee Break
10:15 – 11:15am (EST)
Keynote
Moderated by Vicki Arroyo, Georgetown Law, introduced by Heike Fuller, German Consulate General in Atlanta
- Dagmara Koska, EU Delegation to the United States, introduced by Heike Fuller, German Consulate General in Atlanta
11:15 – 11:30am (EST)
Student Lightning Talks
11:30 – 11:45am (EST)
Student Photography Awards
11:45am (EST)
Closing Remarks
- Kim Cobb, Georgia Tech Global Change Program
Asynchronous
Themes
Climate & Ecosystems
Earth’s ecosystems comprise a critical role in the climate system. Ecosystems are profoundly impacted by ongoing climate change, but they are also a key part of climate solutions. Learn the latest science around ecosystems and climate change, how ecosystems can provide effective tools for climate action, and the landscape for policies that will protect and enhance such ecosystem services for decades to come.
Environmental Justice & Climate Justice
Climate change is a human and civil rights issue. Environmental injustice, including ongoing and accelerating climate change impacts, disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities. Discussions in this theme will explore the intersection of racial justice and climate action through the lens of equity in our local communities, and expand to include discussion of equity at the International scale.
COVID-19 & Green Recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered life on a global scale, exacerbating existing inequalities that have motivated urgent, large-scale policy interventions at the local to International scales. Explore emerging frameworks that advance climate action on the pathway to social and economic recovery from COVID-19, including emerging plans currently under development in Europe.
Student Photography & Art Contest
What does climate change look like to you? How is it affecting the world around you? Who are the winners and losers of climate change? We are looking for creative photos that raise awareness of the ever-increasingly urgent climate crisis and inspire Georgians to take action. Submission rules and guidelines are available here. The deadline for submissions is September 30th.
