Pacific Climate Forum of the Americas

The Institute of the Americas and UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) invite you to join us virtually on June 1-3, 2022 for The Pacific Climate Forum of the Americas: Promoting Marine Biodiversity & Climate Resilience in an Era of High Risk and Uncertainty.

The Pacific Climate Forum, organized in the context of the IX Summit of the Americas that will take place in Los Angeles, CA, is meant to convene key policymakers, business and civic leaders from Pacific coastal nations of the Americas to learn from leading climate and marine experts, to catalyze discussions on the most pressing environmental issues these countries face.

The event will kick off with thematic scientific briefings with top scientists from Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego SIO to learn about cutting edge research this leading institution is doing regarding coastal and marine ecosystems, climate change and resilience.

Day two includes introductory remarks by Mayor of San Diego Todd Gloria, discussions on marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries, a conversation on hemispheric cooperation facilitated by Dr. Brice Semmens from Scripps Oceanography, and a keynote address on climate action and its connection to regional security from Gen. Laura J. Richardson, Commander of U.S. Southern Command.

On day three, concurrent panel discussions on nature-based solutions and coastal resilience, efficient management of water resources, and deep decarbonization and the energy transition will take place. We will also feature a session on lessons learned from California regarding climate action and adaptation from Sec. Wade Crowfoot of the California Natural Resources Agency. Also scheduled are keynote addresses by Andrew Griffin, Senior Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean to the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, and Dr. Amanda Netburn, Assistant Director for Ocean Science & Technology of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy.

Panelists include climate-related vice-ministers from Costa Rica and Ecuador, government representatives from Latin America, members from regional organizations such as the Latin American Energy Organization, and leading NGOs and other scientific institutions such as the Ocean Nexus Center, EDF de Mexico and TNC.

All sessions will be live-streamed through Whova and are free to the general public. Please register and take a look at the agenda here!

Participants are invited to download the Whova app to facilitate logistics and networking. You can also track #PacificClimateForum to stay up to speed with the discussion. You can also follow event updates through the Institute Americas (@iamericas) / Twitter.

Contact: Tania Miranda, IOA Director of Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, Environment and Climate Change Program.