CLIMATE CONVERSATIONS

Energy efficiency in buildings is among the most cost-effective ways to clean the air we breathe and reduce costs. Studies estimate about 40 percent of global energy consumption comes from the building sector. On Monday, Nov. 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET, join Washington Post Live for conversations with David Hochschild, chair of the California Energy Commission, and other officials about different models to promote energy efficiency and combat climate change across the country and around the world.

Where and how we get our food has never been more important. As climate change continues to affect global food systems, the call to reduce animal product consumption to decrease emissions is making headlines. Climate change is also increasing malnutrition rates around the world. Efforts to mitigate these challenges include focusing on food sustainability and food system innovations. On Monday, Nov. 8, join Chez Panisse founder and owner Alice Waters and Sanku CEO Felix Brooks-church for a program examining how global efforts to combat malnutrition and local, sustainable agriculture are emerging as key solutions to combat the climate crisis.

The upcoming COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland will be a key test of whether nations can come together to avert the worst effects of climate change. On Thursday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m. ET, climate leaders from around the world join Washington Post Live to assess the goals for the summit, how to accelerate the transition to clean power and the stakes for future generations.

A recent Environmental Protection Agency study warned that people of color are more likely to live in areas hit by flooding, extreme heat and the greatest impacts from climate change. Communities of color and working-class Americans who live in areas with fossil fuel plants also disproportionately suffer from the resultant air and water pollution. On Thursday, Oct. 28 at 11:30 a.m. ET, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan joins Washington Post Live to discuss the path forward to transitioning to clean energy and how inequality is contributing to a public health crisis, and young climate activists join to talk about the intersectional environmental movement

Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah), chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, is part of a delegation of Republican House members set to attend the upcoming COP26 climate summit that will bring together political, business and environmental leaders from around the world. On Monday, Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. ET, Curtis joins Washington Post Live to discuss the trip, the Republican party’s views on climate change and the ongoing negotiations in Congress over infrastructure and social spending.

It’s been 15 years since former vice president Al Gore sounded the climate change alarm bell with his Academy Award-winning documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth.” The conversation about the climate crisis has since only grown around the world. Join Washington Post Live on Monday, Oct. 25 at 11:30 a.m. ET, as Gore and 16-year-old climate activist Alexandria Villaseñor discuss where the conversation goes from here, what actions need to be taken and what they hope to see come out of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference.

More than two million people living in the United States lack access to clean drinking water, including an estimated 1 in 10 Native Americans. Extreme weather events are likely to exacerbate existing issues with the water infrastructure, and poor communities may feel the effects of climate change on access to clean water first. Washington Post Live will convene key Native American leaders who are working alongside the next generation of activists to help solve this water crisis at this pivotal moment. We will also hear from prominent young women involved in the water justice movement who are carrying on the fight for safe drinking water and sanitation across North America. Join the conversation on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

Corporations across the world have made bold commitments around sustainable investing and business. On Tuesday, Oct. 12 at 10:00 a.m. ET, Mark Carney, U.N. special envoy on climate action and finance, joins Washington Post Live to discuss how companies can meet their goals, the role of private-public cooperation and the stakes at the COP26 talks this November. Anne Simpson, managing investment director of CalPERS, will follow to discuss the growing investment methodology known as the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) movement, and how one of the world’s largest public funds is using its clout as an investor to push companies to do more to tackle the climate crisis.

A recent report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns humans have unequivocally pushed the climate into “unprecedented” territory and catastrophic impacts lie ahead unless the world dramatically cuts greenhouse gas emissions. On Thursday, Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m. ET, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed joins Washington Post senior writer Frances Stead Sellers to discuss the high stakes for protecting our planet and the COP26 conference this November in Scotland.

Alok Sharma, president of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, sounded the alarm that this year’s climate summit is “our last best chance of getting this right.” Sharma joins Washington Post Live for a conversation about the issues topping the climate agenda, challenges with COVID-19 accommodations and his recent efforts to ensure international commitment to climate initiatives

Over the past four decades, we have lost close to 70 percent of global wildlife. The great challenge for humans now is to figure out how to rectify this extinction storm. Experts agree that protecting land and marine animal wildlife offers one of the most substantial solutions to the climate crisis, which remains crucial to the survival of nature and humanity. Iconic conservationist Jane Goodall joins Washington Post Live to discuss opportunities aimed at recovering and protecting endangered species and combating the ongoing consequences of climate change. WildlifeDirect CEO Paula Kahumbu will talk about how her life’s work in safeguarding elephants against environmental change and poaching is helping to solve this two-pronged crisis. Join the conversation on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at 10:00am ET.

H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco is one of the world’s leading philanthropists dedicated to ocean conservation and sustainability. Over the last 15 years, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation has invested nearly $99 million to fund almost 700 projects that focus on limiting the effects of climate change, promoting renewable energies, preserving biodiversity, managing water resources and combating desertification. Prince Albert discusses prioritizing global collaboration – from government to civil society, philanthropists to the private sector – reconciling economy and ecology and developing “blue finance” in a multi-lateral and multi-sectoral approach. Join The Washington Post’s Frances Stead Sellers on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 3:00pm ET.

With the acceleration of global warming, plastic pollution and destructive fishing practices, the health of the planet’s most important life-giving resource is imperiled. Washington Post Live, in partnership with Rolex, will spotlight the world’s oceans crisis and examine innovative ideas and solutions for keeping our oceans clean and working towards bluer communities around the globe. Join the conversation on Tuesday, June 15 at 10:00am ET with special guest Sylvia Earle, president & chair of Mission Blue. Check out The Washington Post’s Climate Solutions section, in partnership with Rolex, focusing on the individuals working to find answers.

The transition to a net zero global economy is accelerating, with powerful implications across many sectors. Washington Post Live will gather thought leaders and key policymakers to discuss the goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and assess the path forward to 100 percent clean energy in less than 30 years. We’ll also examine the Biden administration approach on eliminating fossil fuels, and focus on how energy and transportation will need to be transformed in order to reach these goals.

Lisa Jackson is Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives, and the former Environmental Protection Agency administrator under former president Barack Obama. Apple will become carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030, working with its global partners and suppliers to move to 100 percent renewable energy. They recently announced a $200 million first-of-its-kind fund to support climate-smart forestry investments. Jackson joins Washington Post opinions columnist Jonathan Capehart Thursday, April 22 at 4:30pm ET to discuss the importance of transparency, corporate social responsibility and Apple’s commitment to fight climate change by working to make every device sold by Apple have net zero climate impact by 2030.

Former vice president Al Gore has been sounding the alarm about the global climate crisis for decades. Elected in 1976 to the House of Representatives, Gore held some of the first congressional hearings on the subject. He continued the fight throughout his political career and beyond, becoming a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to inform the world about the dangers posed by climate change. This Earth Day he discusses several topics, including how to fight disinformation with science, the importance of cutting global emissions and investing in clean energy. Join Washington Post opinions writer Jonathan Capehart on Thursday, April 22 at 3:30pm ET.

U.S. special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry says no one nation can solve the climate crisis by itself. The former secretary of state is an advocate of personal diplomacy and is touring Asia ahead of a two-day climate summit hosted by the United States. Kerry is meeting with foreign officials in pursuit of consensus-building around climate change. Kerry joined Washington Post opinions writer Jonathan Capehart to discuss the importance of setting ambitious goals to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and how the U.S. plans to lead by example.

Henry M. Paulson Jr., former U.S. treasury secretary and Goldman Sachs CEO, is chairman of the Paulson Institute and the executive chairman of the global fund, TPG Rise Climate. On Tuesday, April 20 at 2:30pm ET, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius speaks with Paulson about the role of business in addressing climate change, the implications for the economy, and the U.S.-China relationship ahead of the Biden administration’s Earth Day summit of global leaders.