Saint Louis Climate Summit

Earth Overshoot Day is August 1 and marks the date when we (all of humanity) have used more from nature than our planet can renew in the entire year. Learn more about Earth Overshoot Day.


Working to Fulfill Pope Francis’ Call to Unite in Care of our Common Home

The Saint Louis Climate Summit brings together some of the most authoritative minds in climate science, ecology, sustainable development, and related disciplines for three days of discussion on climate change. We will highlight key issues, celebrate notable achievements, and elucidate a path forward. The Climate Summit is a featured activity of Saint Louis University’s Bicentennial Celebration.

Schedule

Below is a preliminary schedule for the Saint Louis Climate Summit and is subject to change.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Registration and Check-in

Attendees for the Climate Summit can pick up their registration materials at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church.

The Gospel of Creation: Indispensable for Climate of Hope

The theme for Sunday is also the title of chapter two of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si, in which he refers to the conviction of believers and the rich contribution that religions can make towards an integral ecology and the full development of humanity.
Cardinal Peter Turkson
Peter Raven, Ph.D.

Showing of Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Before the Flood”

In this documentary, Leonardo DiCaprio explores the topic of climate change, and discovers what must be done today to prevent catastrophic disruption of life on our planet.

The screening will be followed by a moderated panel discussion featuring students and faculty from Saint Louis University and Washington University in St. Louis. Students will share their experiences and insights from attending the 2017 United Nations Climate Conference (COP 23) in Bonn, Germany.
Ben de Foy, Ph.D. – Moderator
Valorie Wilmoth, Ph.D. – Moderator
Beth Martin – Moderator

Welcome

Jack Galmiche
Peter Raven, Ph.D.

Setting the Stage: Global Warming Observations, Predictions, and Policy

A review of the science of climate change: how to mitigate that change when possible and adapt to it when not.
Mario Molina, Ph.D.
Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Ph.D.
Jack Fishman, Ph.D.
Katharine Mach, Ph.D.
Rodrigo Reis, Ph.D. – Moderator
10:45 am - 11:00 am

Break

Panel: Whole Earth Systems

The effects of the destruction of natural resources as a result of climate change on the functioning of the world and our economic models.
Michael Hanemann, Ph.D.
Mathis Wackernagel, Ph.D.
Michael Wysession, Ph.D. – Moderator

Panel: Biodiversity and Ecology

The impact of climate change on the biosphere, resulting in the decimation of the living world through biological extinction and its practical and moral meaning for us all.
Peter Raven, Ph.D.
Fr. John McCarthy
Barbara Schaal, Ph.D. – Moderator
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Break

Panel: Business Perspectives

The impact of climate change on the global economy and the ways in which we need to consider new economic models to account properly for the changes we are encountering. What is the role of the private sector in fostering new national and local economic models here in St. Louis?
Jeffrey Sachs, Ph.D.
P.J. Simmons
Tony Calandro – Moderator

Closing

Logistics for Monday evening’s events and what to expect in Tuesday’s sessions will be presented.
Jack Fishman, Ph.D.
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm

Break

Keynote Session

The keynote session will offer inspiring presentations on our changing climate and the importance of protecting our planet.
Bill Nye
Carl Pope

Panel: Food Security

Feeding our rapidly-expanding population sustainably into and through an age of climate change.
Prabhu Pingali, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Ainsworth, Ph.D.
Allison Miller, Ph.D. – Moderator

Panel: Availability of Water and Sea Level Rise

Leaders in the scientific community will present research and perspectives on the critical ecological issues facing the global community.
Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D.
Peter Gleick, Ph.D.
Colin Wellenkamp
Dan Hanes, Ph.D. – Moderator
10:45 am - 11:15 am

Break

Panel: Educating the Next Generation

This session will focus on two exciting initiatives that will be in the forefront of properly educating the planet’s next generation of inhabitants. The Healing Earth Project is a free, online environmental science textbook for upper level secondary school students, beginning college students, and adult learners. Unlike any other environmental textbooks, Healing Earth presents an integrated, global, and living approach to the ecological challenges we face. The project’s authors incorporate scientific knowledge with ethical analysis, spiritual reflection, and a call for action. The session also features the Green Hope Foundation, which provides a networking platform for children and youth to...
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Nancy Tuchman, Ph.D.
Bill Anderson – Moderator
Kehkashan Basu

Panel: Religious Perspectives and Moral Obligation

In his encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis has provided a clear perspective of how we all must take responsibility for our common home. The impact of these views in the wider Christian community and beyond will be discussed in this session.
Rev. Dr. Richard Cizik, D.H.L.
Heather Eaton, Ph.D.
Rev. Mitchell Hescox
Mary Evelyn Tucker, Ph.D.
Tobias Winright, Ph.D. – Moderator

Closing Thoughts and Discussion

Peter Raven, Ph.D.
Jack Fishman, Ph.D.