Oct. 14 Speaker to Address Climate Change and Public Policy

J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy, will speak at Gustavus Adolphus College at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14 in Room 103 of the F.W. Olin Hall of Physics, Mathematics, and Computer Science.

Hamilton’s presentation will focus on current scientific updates on climate change as well as public policy proposals related to the issue.

Hamilton’s employer, Fresh Energy, is a nonprofit organization leading the transition to a clean, efficient and fair energy system. The organization works to enhance the economy, protect human health and communities, restore the environment, and establish energy independence. Founded in 1990 under the name Minnesotans for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the organization was formed to launch Minnesota into the global arena as a leader on clean energy issues.

As Science Policy Director, Hamilton directs the Global Warming Solutions program. Her responsibilities include scientific analysis, policy development, and advocacy of clean energy solutions to global warming that will maximize economic opportunities for the Midwest. Each year she gives more than 100 invited presentations on climate change science, impacts, and solutions at the scale of the problem. Her recent audiences around the country include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Xcel Energy, Target Corporation, Boston Scientific, and Toro. Hamilton also spoke at Gustavus during the 2007 Nobel Conference, Heating Up: The Energy Debate.

From 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 14, Hamilton will be joined by Mark Peters from the Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy of Minnesota for a panel discussion titled “Science, Faith, and Public Policy: The Climate Change Challenge.” The pair will represent two voices who are advocating for public policy responses to global climate change – one from a scientific perspective and one from a faith perspective. Besides addressing the climate change issue, both Hamilton and Peters will comment on the role of science and faith in the public policy arena. This event will take place in Alumni Hall, located on the upper level of the O.J. Johnson Student Union.

For more information on these events, contact the Director of the Johnson Center for Environmental Innovation Jim Dontje at 507-933-7206 or jdontje@gustavus.edu.