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The Inaugural Green Summit
Career Communications Group, Inc. presents the inaugural Green Summit live in STEM City USA™
Life on Earth as we know it is at a critical point. To reduce human-induced climate change and ensure the survival of future generations, we must do what we can now to lower emissions and counteract environmental disasters on our planet.
The inaugural "Green Summit" on STEM City USA will feature five sessions on the climate crisis. Our science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subject matter experts will share news and views on what institutions are
doing to reduce their carbon footprint, and what you can do in your community.
Ninety-seven percent of actively publishing climate scientists agree that human activities are causing rising sea levels, flooding, 100-year
flooding and storms, wildfires, melting polar ice, and declining biodiversity.
The evidence is all around us. Temperatures are climbing, glaciers are disappearing, heat waves and extreme weather events are increasing, and many other observable changes are taking place. All the signs point to human activity as a primary
cause of these accelerated climate changes.
According to NASA, “It is undeniable that human activities have produced the atmospheric gases that have trapped more of the Sun’s energy in the Earth system. This extra
energy has warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land, and widespread and rapid changes have occurred in the atmosphere, ocean, cryosphere, and biosphere.”
RSVP for Summit
Seminars
The summit consists of five segments including opening remarks, four seminar sessions facilitated by HBCU leaders, magazine reveal, and leading voices. The seminars explore how Top Supporters are partnering with HBCUs to advance the
careers of young people in STEM. The summit will also include the unveiling of the Top Supporters of HBCUs list.
This program will benefit technical area achievers to network with others in their various fields from
across higher educational institutions and share ideas for future innovations.
10:00AM - 11:10AM EDT
One on One with Gerald Johnson, Executive Vice President of Global Manufacturing and sustainability, 2021 Black Engineer of the Year:
Gerald Johnson, to discuss GM’s forward-looking initiatives, the accomplishments of the Zero Factory, and GM’s plans to make an impact on the planet’s climate from their platform in the auto industry.
GM Panel to follow conversation with Gerald Johnson.
11:30AM - 12:40pM EDT
Learning Objective: Attendees will explore the causes, effects, and practical solutions to address climate change.
Earth's climate has changed throughout history. In the last 800,000
years, there have been eight cycles of ice ages and warmer periods. Yet, the current warming trend varies from earlier trends in that it is caused by human activity and changes that produce atmospheric gases which have
trapped more of the Sun’s energy in the Earth system. Ninety-seven percent of actively publishing climate scientists agree that human activities are causing rising sea levels, flooding, 100-year flooding and storms,
wildfires, melting polar ice, and declining biodiversity. Man-made climate change is one of the biggest threats to our planet.
The effects are already being seen through receding glaciers, ocean acidification and an increasingly vulnerable food supply. It is vital we work to understand the causes and effects of climate change, and to find the solutions
before it is too late.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Examine the significance of global warming and climate change.
- Understand the major cause and effects of climate change.
- Explore the consequences of how climate change is changing our Earth.
- Show solutions and funding for reversing climate change before it is too late.
1:00PM - 2:10PM EDT
Learning Objective: Attendees will examine the impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and what HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) are doing to advance the communities
Climate change is the biggest threat to humankind today. Reversing global warming and increased instances of extreme weather is a task that many HBCUs are working towards finding workable solutions. Colleges and universities,
by definition, are obviously forward-thinking institutions. As such, part of their responsibility to future generations is to address the challenges of a changing world. There is no larger challenge than to preserve
the planet for today and for future generations. Tackling climate change on college campuses is complex, complicated, and challenging, and will not be solved overnight. Universities should be concentrating on developing
a range of measures, such as developing innovative programs that positively affect the environment, researching recent technology, collaborating with world governments, and fostering student activism.
Join our expert panel as they discuss what HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) colleges and universities are doing to is to bring together HBCU faculty and students, and researchers, to bridge the gap between
theory and the experiential realities of climate change. The session will help raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities and to highlight the advancements of HBCUs
on issues related to adaptation, environmental and climate justice policies.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Show the effects of climate change on HBCUs and marginalized communities
- Examine HBCU programs that are influencing and enhancing our understanding of climate change.
- Explore potential short and long-term remedies for climate change.
- Investigate potential research partnerships to aid in the advancement of climate change solutions.
2:30PM - 3:50PM EDT
Learning Objective: Attendees will explore new government-agency programs that will affect climate change
The White House has delivered on the promise to drive positive changes on the climate landscape and brought a new sense of urgency to climate change. In its first 100 days, the administration has rejoined the Paris
climate agreement, elevated climate change to a national security priority, re-chartered a Presidents’ Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, and directed all departments to curb greenhouse-gas emissions.
Government agencies have a wonderful opportunity to approach climate issues with fresh perspectives and fresh solutions. As agency leaders look to act, a multidimensional perspective on the climate problem can identify
new lessons about how to bring about change.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand how sustainability has evolved into a core business function that is central to any agency’s success.
- Explore methods for integrating climate governance both inside and outside of government agencies.
- Examine fresh perspectives and more innovative approaches to handling climate change.
- Discover governmental programs that will reduce climate risks and fix the ecosystem.
4:10PM - 5:30PM EDT
Learning Objective: Attendees will explore methods for solving climate change
Currently, electricity and heating run the world. We use them in every aspect of our lives,
such as, our transportation system, heating and powering our houses, building infrastructure, and many of our industries. As of now, we rely primarily on fossil fuel energy sources like oil, coal, and gas. These energy
sources are releasing CO² from the ground that has been trapped there for millions of years. The only way to stop climate change is to switch to renewable and sustainable energy sources as soon as possible. Fortunately,
many organizations have been working on increasing the amount of renewable energy production while at the same time making sure our grids stay stable.
At the end of this session, attendees will be able to:
- Understand what renewable energy is and how it differs from non-renewable energy.
- Examine the history of renewable energy and how its advantages have affected the ways we live, work, and play.
- Explore the Renewable Resources that are available, including windmills, solar, and turbines.
- Discuss methods for solving climate change with renewable energy.
Accessing the Summit
On the day of the summit you can access the event through STEM City USA
Gerald Johnson leads GM’s Global Manufacturing, Manufacturing Engineering, Labor Relations and Sustainability organizations. He is responsible for approximately 94,800 employees representing more than 118 sites on four continents
in 13 countries. He is a member of Chairman and CEO Mary Barra’s Senior Leadership Team, and in January 2020, he was appointed to the GM PAC Board and Steering Committee. He is also a founding member of GM’s Inclusion Advisory
Board. The goal of the board is to improve diversity, equity and inclusion within GM through words, deeds and culture; and ultimately help GM become the most inclusive company in the world....
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