Addressing the climate crisis requires more than policy ambition—it demands a new generation of scientists, engineers, innovators, and decision-makers equipped to translate discovery into scalable solutions. Physics lies at the heart of this transformation, powering breakthroughs in renewable energy, climate modeling, Earth observation, resilient infrastructure, advanced materials, quantum technologies, and emerging clean-energy systems.

This intergenerational dialogue convenes students, leading physicists, climate scientists, engineers, academic institutions, industry pioneers, and public-sector leaders to explore how scientific inquiry evolves into real-world climate innovation. Through personal leadership journeys and interactive discussion, participants will examine how curiosity, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration become catalysts for technological advancement, economic opportunity, and climate resilience.

The conversation will also address one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century: expanding equitable access to STEM education and leadership while closing persistent gender and opportunity gaps in the global climate workforce. Participants will explore mentorship, research pathways, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships that empower youth contribute meaningfully to the climate transition.

Rather than viewing physics solely as an academic discipline, the session positions it as a strategic driver of sustainable development, responsible innovation, and global competitiveness. Youth will leave with a clearer understanding that today's scientific curiosity can become tomorrow's climate leadership, shaping solutions that strengthen communities, accelerate decarbonization, and advance a more resilient and sustainable world.

1. Inspire and equip the next generation of climate scientists, engineers, and innovators.

2. Demonstrate how physics underpins transformative climate technologies and sustainable development solutions.

3. Strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, governments, and youth to accelerate climate innovation.

4. Promote inclusive STEM leadership by expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented communities.

5. Foster interdisciplinary partnerships that advance climate resilience, clean energy, and scientific innovation.

1. Increased awareness of STEM pathways that directly contribute to climate action and sustainable development.

2. New partnerships connecting students with universities, research institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers.

3. Enhanced mentorship opportunities supporting a more diverse and inclusive climate workforce.

4. Youth-generated recommendations on strengthening science education and innovation ecosystems for climate resilience.

5. A shared commitment to investing in scientific talent as a cornerstone of achieving the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals

Lady Tee Thompson is the principal of the international organization AgroBiz.org and the founder of Cashew Queens, an emerging social enterprise. Her current roles are Co-Chair, of United Nations Association of the USA Women’s Affinity Group and Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Committee, and Gender Equality Expert.

Among her professional advocacy responsibilities are women’s self-sufficiency, equity and equality, African descendant diaspora inclusion, youth and women’s empowerment, agricultural and entrepreneurial skills transfer, and investment matchmaking for women & minority companies. Lady Tee holds a Master’s in Business Administration, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Administration from the prestigious University of Detroit Mercy. She lives in the metro Detroit area with her family.

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Dr. Donna Kashian is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wayne State University, where she also directs the Environmental Science Program and the UN Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development in the Detroit-Windsor region. Outside Wayne State, she is a Former President of the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) and a board member of the Science Advisory Panel for the International Joint Commission. Her research focuses on Great Lakes water quality, examining how disturbances such as invasive species and contaminants affect aquatic communities. She integrates science, policy, and community engagement often through an environmental justice lens, and her work has been incorporated into statewide monitoring efforts and public education programs.

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Kathryn Williamson, PhD, is an earth and space science educational consultant living in Huntsville, Alabama. She earned her doctorate from Montana State University with a focus on physics education research, and she has worked as the Public Education Specialist at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and as an Astronomy Professor and Planetarium Director at West Virginia University. She is a member of Astronomers for Planet Earth, and she has helped develop a a variety of climate education projects, including the West Virginia Climate Change Professional Development Project and the Alabama Youth Action for Sustainability Summit. She currently contracts with the American Physical Society to develop physics and climate educational modules. 

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Honourable Akmal Ali is a diplomat, Pacific development and humanitarian leader whose work spans community, national, regional and global levels. With more than 15 years of experience, his work encompasses diplomacy, humanitarian action, sustainable development, localisation, climate resilience, governance, water security, youth empowerment and civil society leadership. 

He is the President and Founder of the United Nations Association of Fiji (UNA Fiji), where he has championed diplomacy, global citizenship, multilateralism and youth leadership. Through UNA Fiji's Diplomacy Training Programme, more than 500 young people have been trained and engaged in diplomacy, international affairs, leadership and public service. He also serves as the Permanent Representative for Fiji to the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) General Assembly.

Hon. Ali currently serves as Coordinator of FALE Pacific at the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO), where he works to strengthen locally led humanitarian action, localisation and community resilience across the Pacific.

At the global level, he is a Member of the Coordination Committee of the Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples' Mechanism (CSIPM) for Relations with the United Nations Committee on World Food Security (CFS). Regionally, he serves as Co-Chair of the Water Security Technical Working Group of the Pacific Resilience Partnership, within the Pacific Islands Forum regional architecture, contributing to regional collaboration on water security, climate resilience and sustainable development.

His wider regional and international appointments include Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Fiji; Steering Committee Member of AGNA, CIVICUS World Alliance; Steering Committee Member of the Localisation Lab Global Steering Committee, NEAR Network; Steering Committee Member of the Pacific NCD Alliance, World Health Organization Pacific Region; United Nations Representative and Special Advisor on the Pacific for the PEAC Institute, New York; and Adviser to Reverse the Trend, New York.

Hon. Ali holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy and Administration from the University of the South Pacific. He has also undertaken Diplomatic Induction Training through Fiji's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Throughout his career, Hon. Ali has remained committed to the principle that lasting development and resilience begin with empowered communities and young people who lead with integrity, compassion and service. His work seeks to ensure that Pacific voices, experiences and locally led solutions are meaningfully represented in regional and global decision-making, particularly in areas of climate resilience, humanitarian action, sustainable development and the future of young people.

PULSE (Physics Understanding, Learning, and Student Exploration) is a program for High School students through high school physics clubs, where they learn the basics of physics and its applications and gain hands-on experience in applied physics.

This program will provide high school students with the necessary skills and knowledge of the fundamentals for any desired field of physics, along with opportunities to network, expand their knowledge, and access valuable experiences.

The mission of PULSE is to empower future generations of physicists through community networking, scientific research, and physics professionalism. PULSE aims to equip young physicists with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to excel in the field of physics, while promoting innovation and professionalism among the next generation of physicists.

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AgroBiz.org exist to help women and smallholder farming and entrepreneurship grow beyond survival to scale with dignity, purpose, and power. Over the years we have expanded our agriculture development services and now offer a wide range of  solutions.

At AgroBiz.org, we are committed to providing high-quality agriculture development services that help our clients succeed.  Scaling up with purpose, we champion the Sustainable Development Goals & the truth that “Small Producers,  Mean Big Business". 

Our team at AgroBiz.org is made up of experienced and knowledgeable professionals who are passionate about agriculture. We work together to provide exceptional service to our clients.

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Wayne State University and the University of Windsor have been designated as a new United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development in the Detroit-Windsor region.

RCE Detroit Windsor is a joint effort between the two universities. Focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it will identify actions that address climate change, economic and health disparities, and social inequity to create a more sustainable future for the two communities that share an international border.

The WSU and UWindsor partnership will build on and expand related education and research initiatives underway at both universities and in the cities of Detroit and Windsor.

The RCE designation offers a unique opportunity to embrace a multi-stakeholder global network, highlighting and amplifying our strengths as leaders in sustainability and collaboration.

RCE Detroit Windsor will focus on the challenges that our region faces as a transnational metropolitan area where water is one of the most vital and precious resources, where our shared automotive economic history provides common challenges in the need for transformation, and where there are often deep familial or cultural ties that transcend our border.

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