Climate Connections

Please join the UMN Center for Changing Landscapes for our spring CLIMATE CONNECTIONS continental breakfast & discussion: 

Natural Climate Change Solutions: Opportunities and challenges for Minnesota

Friday April 26, 8:30 - 10:00 am
MN Dept of Ag Freeman Building, Room B144
625 N. Robert St, St. Paul, MN 55164

Dramatic reductions in carbon emissions are necessary to forestall the most disruptive climate change trajectories. Making such reductions requires actions across multiple sectors.  A recent study led by Joe Fargione at The Nature Conservancy found that substantial carbon reductions could be achieved by shifting land management practices -- a strategy that scientists have termed “natural climatesolutions.” The study highlighted numerous practices including reforesting degraded lands and increasing cover crops on ag lands, which together could offset as much as 21 percent of annual US greenhouse gas emissions. Please join us for a discussion of natural climate solution options, opportunities, and challenges in Minnesota.

 
Speakers:
 
Joe Fargione - Science Director for The Nature Conservancy’s North America Region
Joe’s research reveals nature’s hidden benefits to people, including how nature can help mitigate climatechange. Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy, Joe received a bachelor’s degree from Hampshire College, a PhD in Ecology from the University of Minnesota and held faculty positions at the University of New Mexico and Purdue University.
 
Bob Patton – Ag Marketing & Development Specialist, MN Department of Agriculture
Bob has worked on land-use and environmental issues at the MDA for 25 years, and currently supervises the Environment and Energy Section in the Agricultural Marketing and Development Division.  He served for four years as interim executive director of the Environmental Quality Board, and has participated in a number of interagency climate-related efforts and teams in recent years. 
 
Amber Ellering – Forest Policy and Planning Supervisor at MN DNR
Amber has over fourteen years of professional experience in forest management and policy leadership. She oversees forest planning across DNR administered lands, policy analysis, and strategic planning. She is involved in the public policy arena, shaping her agency’s participation in national initiatives, and supporting state level policy development.

This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by following this link -> https://z.umn.edu/naturalclimatesolutions