Course Catalog > Lectures & Walking Tours

Climate Change in the Era of Trump: End of Days or New Beginnings?

Those of us working at the front lines of climate change science and policy are, like many, extremely concerned over recent decisions made by the Trump Administration to back away rapidly from climate change strategies; as the rest of the world continues to move forward, “America First” seems to indicate that we are the first to leap off a very high cliff. But what does this truly mean for climate change policy in the U.S.? While it is difficult to put a positive spin on recent developments, they do offer an opportunity to forge new partnerships, and to seek solutions that do not depend on the vicarious nature of the federal government. Seeking these new collaborations will require that we look beyond our traditional allies and seek common ground with those who on the surface may not always share the same values, backgrounds, or priorities. On this evening, we’ll explore some of the challenges faced by climate scientists and policy makers, such as strategies for protecting the Old North Church from flooding, and will discuss several examples of unlikely partnerships. We will also engage in a role-playing scenario in which participants solve environmental problems by viewing them through the lens of a range of stakeholders.

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