Thursday, July 25 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
Climate solutions and innovation play a crucial role in protecting the Great Lakes and their surrounding watersheds, which together make up one of the largest fresh surface water systems in the world. Key to achieving the ambitious climate goals needed is the leadership and coordinated efforts of the region’s numerous jurisdictions.
Does alignment and common ground already exist for a unified vision for climate action in the Great Lakes region? A team of researchers from the University of Michigan (U-M) School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) set out to find the answer to this question, and published their findings in the recent report “Life is Better By the Lakes: How the Great Lakes Region is Responding to EPA Calls for Leadership in Climate Action.”
The research team reviewed Priority Climate Action Plans submitted to the US EPA from six states, seven cities, and three tribal nations from the Great Lakes region, looking for common themes, opportunities for collaboration, and compelling innovation ideas to accelerate climate action.
During this webinar, we will hear from Liesl Clark at U-M SEAS who oversaw this research and learn about their findings, recommendations, and next steps. We’ll also be joined by Julia Field from Michigan EGLE who will share insight on the inception and implementation of Michigan’s climate action plan.
Join us on Thursday, July 25 at 12pm ET for an overview of this research and the themes that were identified across jurisdictions and sectors in the Great Lakes region.
Speakers:
Liesl Clark, Director, Climate Action Engagement, University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Liesl Eichler Clark of the School for Environment and Sustainability is U-M’s first director of climate action engagement. She leads a new initiative aimed at linking the university’s expanding sustainability research, collaborations and engagement with external partners to accelerate climate action across the state of Michigan and beyond. Previously, Clark served as director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet, chaired the Council on Climate Solutions and led development of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.
Julia Field, Deputy Climate and Energy Advisor, Office of Climate and Energy, EGLE
Julia is the Deputy Climate and Energy Advisor in the Office of Climate and Energy at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Prior to joining EGLE, she worked for the Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the DC Department of Energy and Environment, and the US EPA. She has a Master in City Planning from MIT and BA from the University of Michigan. She spent two years in the Dominican Republic as a Peace Corps volunteer.
Moderator:
Lora Shrake, Senior Program Director, Business and Sustainability, Council of the Great Lakes Region
Lora Shrake is the Senior Program Director, Business and Sustainability for the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR), where she is working with a growing network of business leaders to connect across sustainability issues and support the advancement of cross-sector solutions. Some of the programmatic areas include circular economy, water stewardship, and climate change and decarbonization. She also facilitates CGLR’s monthly business and sustainability webinar series, providing a platform for knowledge sharing and amplifying regional best practice.
About the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS):
Situated within the nation’s top public research university, the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) has been a pioneer in environmental education, research, and activism for more than a century.
About Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE):
Working side-by-side with partners at local, regional, state and federal levels, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) safeguards the state’s environment while supporting the economic growth and development crucial for Michigan’s future.
As part of providing expert technical and pollution prevention assistance to businesses and individuals, EGLE annually performs approximately 30,000 site visits and inspections. EGLE employs more than 1,300 scientists, engineers, geologists, toxicologists, inspectors, technicians, managers, biologists and support staff across the state.
