Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard University professor and geologist, served as the 2018 keynote speaker for a summit focused on environmental science and climate change. The event featured a diverse roster of experts including leaders from ecoAmerica and various Utah-based environmental organizations.
Keynote Speaker Expertise
The 2018 keynote speaker, Naomi Oreskes, is a professor of the History of Science and an affiliated professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University. A world-renowned geologist and historian of science, Oreskes has authored over 100 scholarly and popular books, articles, and opinion pieces. Her notable works include Merchants of Doubt (2010) and The Collapse of Western Civilization (2014), both co-authored with Erik M. Conway. Merchants of Doubt was short-listed for the Los Angeles Times book prize and was adapted into a documentary film.
Academic Honors and Recognition
Oreskes has received several high-profile honors for her scientific communication and contributions to public history. Her accolades include the 2016 Stephen Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication and the 2015 Public Service Award from the Geological Society of America. She also received the 2015 Herbert Feis Prize of the American Historical Association and the 2014 American Geophysical Union Presidential Citation for Science and Society. She is a fellow of the American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Sustainability Leadership
The summit included plenary speakers Robert M. Perkowitz and Dan Barry, both associated with the non-profit organization ecoAmerica. Perkowitz serves as the founder and president of ecoAmerica, an organization that assists national groups such as the American Public Health Association and the National League of Cities in building institutional leadership for climate and sustainability. ecoAmerica's programs, including Blessed Tomorrow, Climate for Health, Path to Positive: Communities, and Solution Generation, utilize strategic communications research to engage members in climate solutions.
Local Climate Mitigation
Dan Barry, who directs ecoAmerica's Path to Positive program, provides engagement strategies designed to broaden public support for local policies and programs. The program aims to amplify support for local climate mitigation and resilience efforts through partnerships with trusted institutions. Barry brings 30 years of experience in local government service and environmental campaigning to the organization's mission of building political will for climate solutions across the United States.
Industry and Architecture
The event also featured several Utah-based professionals specializing in architecture, renewable energy, and conservation. Holli Adams of ArchNexus brought 21 years of architectural experience to the summit, specializing in master planning and complex project management. Nikki Anderson of Hunt Electric, who has over 15 years of experience in project management and planning, has focused on renewable energy for several years and has served as Vice Chair for the BOMA Renewable Energy and sustainability committee.
Conservation and Stewardship
Environmental stewardship was represented by Serena Anderson, the Executive Director of the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation. The foundation has worked in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache Forest for nearly two decades, hosting thousands of volunteers annually for trail maintenance, invasive weed removal, and native plant revegetation. Additionally, Hilary Arens, the Director of Sustainability and Water Resources at Snowbird, shared expertise on reducing carbon emissions and improving air and water quality in the Little Cottonwood and American Fork Canyons.
Water and Air Research
Scientific research and regional water management were addressed by Seth Arens, a Research Integration Specialist at Western Water Assessment. Arens has a background in ecosystem and plant physiological ecology, snow hydrology, and atmospheric science. He previously worked as an environmental scientist for the Utah Division of Air Quality from 2010 to 2015, where he developed research programs to assess ozone pollution and maintained the state's air quality monitoring network. He holds degrees from Colby College and the University of Alaska-Anchorage, as well as a Master of Science from the University of Utah.
