Throughout this course, we had multiple people come to class to educate us on their work and efforts in mitigating the climate crisis. Guest speakers are exciting to have in-class because it links school to the real world. Instead of lectures, we can interact and make connections with people who are actively involved in climate work. This can foster opportunities of employment for students in and out of college. With the diversity of presenters, it became very encouraging in that there are multiple people in different fields working to combat the warming climate. Below is a list of the guest speakers and some notes about their talks.
Oliver Kroner: Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Cincinnati
This guest speaker gave us insight on what the city of Cincinnati is doing to combat climate change on the local scale.
Cincinnati's Climate Action Plan:
80x50: 80% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
100% renewable energy by 2035.
Their work:
Warmup Cincy: An energy efficient program for low-income apartment buildings.
2030 District Plan: Large property owners commit to reducing their energy use, water consumption, and transport by 50% by 2030.
Daniel Hart: Sustainability Coordinator at UC Sustainability Office
This guest speaker talked about all the sustainability movements happening on UC’s campus. Through LEED buildings, green roofs, their bike shop, and many more implementations, UC has made multiple strides towards sustainability to combat climate change.
Professor Benziger: Princeton University:
This professor informed us on the technology and sustainability of nuclear energy. He furthered our understanding of the safety and stability that nuclear power can provide.
Sam Dunlap: Carbon Harvest LLC
Bloomberg Philanthropies chose Cincinnati to implement a biochar program. This program will use wood chips from the Cincinnati Park Board to create biochar that will be implemented in urban soils. Biochar is very climate friendly in that it stores carbon in the ground instead in the atmosphere. This plan is still being developed, but with its implementation, it can greatly help the climate crisis.
Molly Hoying: Vale Technologies, CO2 capture and use
This guest speaker is developing a technology that can be implemented in natural gas processing facilities. The technology will capture the CO2 released from the facility and turn it into methane and oxygen which can be sold for use. This presentation showed how we are still developing new technologies that can be used to mitigate climate change.
Shannon Carr: Isaiah 55 Incorporation.
This nonprofit organization grows food to feed the less fortunate. They were given a house which they are developing to become a homeless shelter. Through their free food, seed give-a-ways, and advertised recipes, they are building the community's connection to food. Their efforts are contributing to resilient and healthy climate friendly neighborhoods.
Savannah Sullivan: Climate Policy Lead at Green Umbrella.
Kelly Williams: Futamuragroup, compostable plastics.
Dr. Cissy Ma: US EPA.
Chad Bitler: Green Acres Foundation - Regenerative Farming Field trip.