Next Washington Speakers Series on Engineering the Climate on May 24

Scientists have proposed technologies that could be used to modify the climate of the entire planet rapidly and at low costs. Because these technologies, called solar radiation management (SRM), would be imperfect, and present a variety of known and unknown risks, let's hope the world never has to use them.

However, because national and international efforts to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses have so far been ineffectual, growing numbers of scientists and policy analysts argue that the time has come to learn more about whether and how SRM might work, what risks it may pose, and what it might cost.

The latest Washington Speakers Series, hosted by Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering will focus on this area. The event entitled, "The Science & Uncertainty of Engineering the Climate: The Need for a Strategic Research and Governance Plan," will feature a panel moderated by CIT Dean Pradeep K. Khosla. David Keith, Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics, 
School of Engineering & Applied Sciences and Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University, is the guest speaker. Distinguished panelists include Steven Hamburg, Chief Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund; M. Granger Morgan, Head of CIT's Department of Engineering and Public Policy; Timothy M. Persons, Chief Scientist, Applied Research and Methods Group at the U.S. Government Accountability Office; and John Steinbruner, Director of the Center for International and Security Students at the University of Maryland.

The panel will explore the status and potential consequences of engineering the climate through SRM; assess the need for a national research program; and ask whether a governance plan is needed now, and if so, what is should entail.

The Carnegie Mellon University Washington Speaker Series is a non-partisan forum designed to facilitate meaningful exchange among business, government and research leaders through an exploration of issues residing at the intersection of policy, technology and innovation.

The Washington Speakers Series will be held at the Cosmos Club in Washington DC on Thursday, May 24th from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Learn more about the Washington Speakers Series.