Seeing the Dangers Ahead, Part I - Beyond the IPCC: Understanding and Harnessing the Latest Climate Physical Risk Data and Tools
- Tuesday, February 1, 2022
- Online Event
The State Energy & Environmental Impact Center, Woodwell Climate Research Center, and the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General hosted a three-part virtual event series that provided essential information and tools to help regulators and advocates understand the latest available public and private data about physical, financial, and transition climate risks, how regulators might address key data gaps, and how to harness climate risk data for government decision-making. See Part II here, and Part III here.
Experts explored the latest climate physical risk data and visualization tools, and explained how a deeper understanding of the data can better equip us to prepare for and mitigate climate risks.
Introduction
Bethany Davis Noll
Executive Director
Bethany Davis Noll is an expert in administrative and environmental law and an experienced litigator. She is an adjunct professor at NYU Law and co-chair of the Environmental Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association.
Read MoreKeynote Speaker
Maura Healey
Massachusetts Attorney General
Maura Healey was sworn in as Attorney General on January 21, 2015. In office, she organized the Energy and Environment Bureau to bring together energy and environmental expertise and to combat climate change and promote environmental and energy justice. AG Healey graduated from Harvard College and Northeastern University School of Law. Before joining public service, AG Healey was a junior partner at Wilmer Hale. She also served as a Special Assistant District Attorney in Middlesex County and clerked for Judge David Mazzone in the United States District Court in Massachusetts.
Panel Discussion
Matthew Eby
Founder & Executive Director, First Street Foundation
Matthew Eby is the Founder and Executive Director of First Street Foundation, a research and technology nonprofit working to define America’s growing flood risk. Matthew is recognized business leader with global experience. Previously, Matthew founded and served as CEO of Anthro, a digital marketing agency serving social good and non-profit organizations, worked as the Senior Vice President of Consumer and Brand Marketing for The Weather Company, and was the Director of Brand Marketing for BlackBerry’s Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Matthew holds an MBA from McMaster University as well as an Honors Bachelor of Commerce degree.
Juliette Finzi Hart
Program Manager, Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program, California Office of Planning and Research
Juliette Finzi Hart is the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program’s Climate Services Program Manager at the California Governor’s Office. Prior to joining OPR (Office of Planning and Research), Juliette was an Oceanographer and Director of Outreach at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. Earlier in her career, Juliette was a Research Assistant Professor in the Marine Environmental Biology program at the University of Southern California, where she also served as the Marine and Climate Science Specialist at USC Sea Grant. Juliette has a Ph.D. in Ocean Sciences from USC and a BA from Columbia University.
Christopher R. Schwalm
Risk Program Director, Woodwell Climate Research Center
Christopher R. Schwalm is an internationally-recognized global change ecologist and Earth system modeler, and leads Woodwell Climate’s Risk Program. His research focuses on climate extremes, with emphasis on drought impacts, as well as understanding how carbon, water, and plant nutrients move through land ecosystems. Dr. Schwalm leads Woodwell Climate Research Center’s work with Wellington Management, connecting climate risk to capital markets. He also directs our initiative with McKinsey & Company. Dr. Schwalm holds a B.A. from Cleveland State University, a Master’s from the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Mekala Krishnan
Partner, McKinsey Global Institute
Dr. Mekala Krishnan is a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute, McKinsey’s business and economics research arm. Her research focuses on various topics related to inclusive growth and economic development, including climate risk, globalization, productivity growth in advanced economies, and women’s role in labor markets. Mekala is a member of a task force at the Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy at Brookings focused on improving productivity measurement. She also serves on an advisory board for the Sibley School of Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University and is a board member of the Global Fund for Women. Mekala received her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University in 2011. Prior to Cornell, she received a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2006 from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
Moderator
Eric Roston
Sustainability Editor, Bloomberg
Eric Roston is Sustainability Editor at Bloomberg News. Prior to Bloomberg he was a senior analyst for a White House investigative commission, the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. He also worked as a senior associate at Duke University’s Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and at Resources for the Future, and has consulted with the Department of State as a climate change expert.