Led by Gina McCarthy – Tuesdays at 4:15 PM in L166
February 14
Can you get good things done in government these days?
We will discuss what it takes to make progress as a public servant working at the local, state and federal levels in today’s “unhealthy” climate. What skills, temperament and background are necessary to survive as a political appointee in the hot seat in an era of charged political rhetoric, fake news and alternative facts.
February 21
Federal Climate Action: What "Of, By and For the People" Really Means and Why it Matters
We will discuss the key steps taken at EPA to address climate change, the importance of engaging the public, communicating the science, working with stakeholders and constituency groups, and recognizing what the law says and what it doesn't say. Don't plan on many easy decisions or pats on the back.
Februrary 28
Regional and State Climate Action: Regional and State Leadership is More Important than Ever.
Former Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environment Maeve Bartlett will join us to discuss actions taken to reduce GHG emissions in NE and in MA, as well as state efforts to adapt to a changing climate – and why these efforts are so important.
Guest Speaker
Maeve Bartlett – Former Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environment
March 7
Are we Facing Years of Climate Inaction at the Federal Level or Can the Private Sector Keep the Nation Moving Forward?
The science is clear and the clean energy train has left the station. Is that enough to keep politician and the public focused on facts and making climate investments? Cathy Zoi, former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, will join to talk about energy investment in the public and private sector, and what we can expect moving forward.
Guest Speaker
Cathy Zoi – former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy
March 21
Clean Air and Sound Science – Is the Clean Air Act a Huge Public Health Success or has EPA Overreached and Relied on Secret Science?
Improving air quality is EPA's biggest public health success story. Janet McCabe, former Acting Assistant Administrator of the EPA will join to talk about the progress we have made and the challenges ahead, as well as what the current criticisms of EPA overreach and what the attacks on science could mean for the work ahead.
Guest Speaker
Janet McCabe – former Acting Assistant Administrator of the EPA
March 28
Drinking Water – A Priceless Resource Desperate for Reinvestment.
Margie Alt, Executive Director of Environment America will help lead a discussion on ongoing challenges to safe drinking water: including the Clean Water Rule, legacy pollutants like lead and new pollutants like cyanotoxins, and EPA’s Drinking Water Action Plan. What will it take to protect source waters and reinvest in our aging infrastructure?
Guest Speaker
Margie Alt – Executive Director of Environment America
April 4
Engaging and Empowering Consumers to Give Clean, Green Products a Market Boost
Jim Jones, former EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention will talk about how transparent data and voluntary programs can engage consumers and change markets – and helped push Congress to pass a groundbreaking new chemical safety law with bipartisan support.
Guest Speaker
Jim Jones – former EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
April 11
Environmental Justice and Citizen Science - How to Lift Communities that Have Been Left Behind and Broaden Citizen Engagement.
Cynthia Giles, former EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance will join to help us understand what environmental justice really means, what we have done and can do to ensure that all communities benefit from EPA actions, and how new technologies are opening up opportunities for citizen scientists.
Guest Speaker
Cynthia Giles – former EPA Assistant Administrator of the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance