Public talk: Nobel Prize-winning scientist Steven Chu 2023

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Professor Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize laureate and former U.S. Secretary of Energy during the Obama administration, will present new data on climate change that indicates that the Earth's climate is more sensitive than previously thought.

How we can transition from where we are heading to where we need to be within 50 years is one the most pressing set of issues that science, invention and innovations needs to address. Professor Chu will discuss potential solutions that could provide a path to a sustainable and prosperous future.

This event is presented by the Sydney Environment Institute in partnership with the Net Zero Initiative and the United States Studies Centre.

Keynote speaker: Steven Chu, Nobel Prize-winning scientist

Professor Steven Chu is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics, of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, and of Energy Science and Engineering at Stanford University.

From January 2009 to April 2013, Dr. Chu served as U.S. Secretary of Energy under President Barack Obama. As the first scientist Cabinet member in U.S. history, he recruited dozens scientists to join him at the Department of Energy.

His current research is in biophysics, molecular and cellular physiology, medical imaging, nanoparticle synthesis, battery research and carbon capture. He has received numerous awards including the 1997 Nobel Prize for laser cooling and optical trapping of atoms.

Opening & closing speakers:

Emma Johnston, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research

Emma Johnston is Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and a Professor of Marine Ecology & Ecotoxicology in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences. She is a leading authority in marine ecology, a sustainability and diversity champion and a Chief Author of the Australian State of Environment Report 2021.

David Schlosberg, Director, Sydney Environment Institute

David Schlosberg is Professor of Environmental Politics and Director of the Sydney Environment Institute. His work focuses on environmental, ecological, and climate justice; environment and everyday life; and climate adaptation planning and policy. He is one of the Research Leads on Climate Justice and Problems of Scale, Creating Just Food and Energy Policy, Environmental Disasters and Just Governance, Building an Understanding of Best Practice Local Food Interventions, Community Engagement in Food Governance and Evaluating FoodLab Sydney.

Deanna D'Alessandro, Director, Net-Zero Initiative

Deanna D'Alessandro is a chemist and Professor at the Schools of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and Chemistry, at the University of Sydney. She is also Director of the Faculty of Engineering's Net Zero Initiative. This team aims to help government, industry and communities manufacture, deploy and adopt cost-effective, low emissions technologies at scale. Deanna has over 16 years' professional experience in materials science.

Meg McDonald, Non-Resident Fellow, United States Studies Centre

Meg McDonald is a non-resident fellow at the United States Studies Centre. McDonald has more than 30 years of experience in the public and private sectors in Australia and internationally. She served as a senior Australian diplomat in Geneva as Deputy Chief of Mission, the Australian Embassy in Washington DC and as Australia's Ambassador for the Environment.