The Collider in Asheville Hosts Climate Discussion
Several local organizations worked together to present a forum on current climate trends and forecasts for the future. This event was attended by over 200 people and was held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at The Collider. (The Collider provides event and working facilities in the vibrant heart of downtown Asheville. The Collider’s goal is connecting people, ideas, and networks to build a world where we can all thrive in a changing climate.) Attendees engaged in lively discussions about innovative solutions to combat climate change and shared valuable insights on sustainable practices. One of the highlights of the forum was the introduction of the ‘footprint project in western north carolina,’ which aims to reduce carbon emissions across the region by promoting renewable energy sources and community involvement. Participants left inspired, eager to implement the strategies discussed and contribute to a greener future.
The event featured a panel of climate science experts discussing the current state of earth’s climate and how we can respond to the massive challenges we all face. This complex issue is particularly pertinent in Asheville and Western North Carolina in light of the recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene. The panel highlighted the importance of understanding local impacts and resilience in the face of climate change. They also shared effective survival strategies during Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the need for communities to prepare for future storms. With lessons learned from recent experiences, attendees were encouraged to take proactive measures to safeguard their homes and neighborhoods.
Keynote Speaker Zeke Hausfather
Hausfather is a climate scientist and energy systems analyst with strong interests in observational temperature records, climate modeling, environmental economics, mitigation, and renewable energy. He is a climate science contributor at Carbon Brief among other climate-related work and has a
Hausfather posted and discussed several eye-opening charts that tracked carbon levels in the atmosphere and temperature trends since the start of industrialization. While the facts are dire, there are some hopeful signs!
Drew Jones, Executive Director and Co-founder of Climate Interactive
Asheville resident Andrew Jones is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Climate Interactive and a Research Affiliate at MIT Sloan. He is an expert on international climate and energy policy, a system dynamics modeler, a speaker, and a creator of policy simulations.
He led the teams at Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan that developed En-ROADS and C-ROADS, two climate simulators used widely to engage global decision-makers. His climate policy work has appeared in media outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Jones engaged the audience by utilizing the En-Roads climate simulator, a fantastic tool that helps users understand the effects of decision making and policy change around climate. Jones was trained in modeling through degrees from MIT and Dartmouth College. He now teaches systems thinking and climate policy at MIT Sloan, Stanford, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
Dr. David Easterling, Chief, Climate Assessments Section, NOAA/NCEI
David Easterling is currently Chief of the Scientific Services Division at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, NC. He received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has authored or co-authored more than sixty research articles in journals such as Science, Nature and the Journal of Climate. His research interests include the detection of climate change in the observed record, particularly changes in extreme climate events. A particular point of expertise for Easterling is extreme rain events. He was able to share firsthand knowledge of this phenomenon from Helene with observations of massive rainfall at his home in Asheville! In addition to his research, Easterling is passionate about sustainability and resilience in the face of climate challenges. He has been actively involved in community initiatives focused on surviving hurricanes with solar power, advocating for cleaner energy alternatives that can mitigate the impact of extreme weather. His efforts aim to not only educate others about climate adaptation but also to promote innovative solutions for energy independence in vulnerable regions.
James Fisher, Sundance sales and marketing director, attended the forum. Sundance is dedicated to being part of the solutions to climate challenges and we love to participate in events such as this recent forum. Sundance was founded in 1995 and the following is from our original mission statement:
Sundance Power systems, Inc. is committed to participating in the healing of the planet and creating a sustainable quality of energy into society at large.
