Climate Change Policy - March 23-24

See the program of the symposium : here

Download the "Press Release conclusion" of the Symposium : here

The Future Is Now

International Climate Change Policy Conference, Paris, March 23-24

New policy direction insights expected as influential international researchers, policy makers and industry leaders engage on possible solutions

In recent months, a recharged global climate change policy debate has returned to center stage.  After years of mounting global frustration and alarm over the lack of progress in responding to what many experts believe to be the world’s number one environmental threat, events are unfolding at a rapid pace propelled by a new political dynamic:

• In a dramatic illustration of the abrupt reversal and acceleration in U.S. climate change policy, President Barak Obama recently challenged a joint session of Congress to take action to curb carbon pollution and drive America toward more renewable energy.  The U.S. federal government also is moving to unblock the State of California’s pioneering law to combat global warming. 
• At the same time, countries around the globe are grappling with the effects of the economic crisis on their past and future environmental commitments even as scientists warn of even more serious consequences that would result from inaction.
• Scientists, researchers, the private sector, governments and innovators are racing ahead to explore and develop both state-of-the-art technologies and affordable pragmatic solutions capable of responding to the vastly different needs and resources of the world’s populations. 
• Looming ahead is a critical gathering in Copenhagen in December at which the world’s nations will gather to confront the challenge and determine whether a concerted and meaningful international response is at last attainable.

The forthcoming debate and decision-making process has enormous implications affecting every person on the planet.  Addressing the environmental threat will require difficult and far-reaching decisions impacting issues ranging from the global economy, to international relations, to energy production and consumption, to agricultural practices.  Also at stake is money:  the allocation of huge resources in research, technology and infrastructure and the quest for effective solutions responsive to the economic realities of governments, industry and consumers.

To contribute to the intensifying climate change debate between policy-makers, scientists, business and industry, and others, the French-American Foundation - France and France-Stanford Center for Interdisciplinary Studies have teamed to sponsor an important forum for international exchange which will likely both predict and contribute to policy direction for years to come. 

The March 23-24 conference in Paris will feature exchanges between several of the world’s leading scientific climate change experts, key policy-makers and American and French private sector representatives regarding new policy initiatives, building on the experience from recent climate policy efforts in the U.S. and Europe. 

For invited guests, the conference offers a special opportunity to participate first-hand in the debate while gaining valuable insights into the likely direction of new policy initiatives as well as a better understanding of the related risks, opportunities and consequences.