Teaching Systems Thinking to Fill the Climate Literacy Gap

Originally aired June 1, 2017

Leaders from education, business, and philanthropy examine what it will take to build a workforce that understands the relationships between environmental, social, and economic systems — and can contribute to better climate decisions and policies. The 90-minute session covers the validity of the climate literacy gap, emerging approaches to teaching systems thinking, the role of philanthropy in scaling solutions, and how community colleges can anchor climate-ready workforce development.

Speakers

Monica Brett (Moderator)

International Climate Advisor; Senior Associate, Security and Sustainability Forum

Monica Brett is an international climate advisor and Senior Associate of the Security and Sustainability Forum. She is a vocal advocate for using systems thinking to teach climate and energy literacy as the best way to illuminate the connections between the three pillars of sustainable development — and has applied this concept internationally through curriculum design, educational programs, and public outreach campaigns.

Bernie Kotlier

Sustainable Energy Training Director, IBEW/NECA, California & Nevada

Bernie Kotlier directs the development, promotion, and delivery of sustainable energy training for IBEW electricians and business development programs for NECA electrical contractors in California and Nevada — covering energy auditing, energy efficiency, photovoltaics, zero net energy buildings, electric vehicles, energy storage, and microgrids. He serves as co-chair of the California Advanced Lighting Controls Training Program and national co-chair of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program.

Christopher Boone

Dean, School of Sustainability, Arizona State University

Christopher Boone is Dean of the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University. His research contributes to debates on sustainable urbanization, environmental justice, vulnerability, and global environmental change. He sits on the scientific steering committee for the Urbanization and Global Environmental Change project and is an active contributor to Future Earth, an international initiative integrating the global environmental change community around sustainable outcomes.

Chip Comins

Chairman & CEO, American Renewable Energy Institute; Founder, AREDAY

Chip Comins is Chairman and CEO of the American Renewable Energy Institute and founder of the American Renewable Energy Day (AREDAY) summit, which he uses to educate and provide platforms for clean energy solutions. His American Climate and Energy Literacy Initiative connects industry and community colleges to create jobs in clean technology sectors and build a workforce ready for the low-carbon economy.

Leslie Mintz Tamminen

Director, Seventh Generation Advisors

Leslie Mintz Tamminen is a Director of Seventh Generation Advisors and helped pass and implement California’s Education and the Environment Initiative — a state requirement for environmental education principles and curriculum development across all core K–12 disciplines in public schools. She is appointed to the California Superintendent of Public Instruction Environmental Literacy Steering Committee, tasked with implementing the 2015 Blueprint for California Environmental Literacy.

Jeanette Murry

Senior Knowledge & Learning Coordinator, Climate Change Strategy and Operations, World Bank

Jeanette Murry is Senior Knowledge and Learning Coordinator for Climate Change Strategy and Operations at the World Bank. She has implemented knowledge management and planning efforts in international development, university, private sector, and NGO contexts, with extensive experience in learning design, delivery, and monitoring and evaluation — with a particular focus on climate change education and capacity building.