Climate Forward Conference

Seeking Solutions for a Changing Climate

The annual Climate Forward Conference, hosted in partnership with the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and Common Ground Committee, explores politically realistic solutions to the challenges associated with a changing climate.

Past speakers have included U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry (pictured), Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman.

John Kerry speaking from a podium at the Climate Forward conference.
Underwater Reef striped brick archways frame a view onto a courtyard on USC's Los Angeles campus

Climate Forward 2023

Date: April 4, 2023
Time: 12-4:30pm
Location: Town & Gown, USC University Park Campus, Los Angeles and on Zoom
Speakers:
Val Demings, former U.S. Representative (D-FL)
Adam Kinzinger, former U.S. Representative (R-IL)
Gina McCarthy, former EPA Administrator
Bret Stephens, New York Times opinion columnist

Register to attend in person Register to attend on Zoom

Climate Forward 2022

Our 2022 Climate Forward theme was “Building Energy for Change.” Experts gathered to discuss challenges and opportunities for renewable energy adoption. Watch the full event in the videos below. Thank you to our panelists!

Panel 1: “The Future of American Energy”

Patricia K. Poppe (CEO, PG&E Corp.) and Mary Powell (CEO, Sunrun Solar); moderator Joe Árvai (Director, Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies)

Panel 2: “The Politics of Energy and Climate Change”

Ted Bardacke (CEO, Clean Power Alliance), Ivan Penn (Energy Correspondent, The New York Times), Jason Rondou (Dir. of Resource Planning, Development & Programs, LADWP), Aura Vasquez (Chair of Climate Action Committee, Sierra Club Los Angeles, and former commissioner, LADWP); moderator Bob Shrum (Director, Center for the Political Future)