Saint Louis Climate Summit Gathers Leading Climate Scientists for Midwest Conference
Saint Louis University to host the field’s leading thinkers April 22-24, 2018 as a part of its Bicentennial Celebration
ST. LOUIS, MO (Nov. 7, 2017) — The 2018 Saint Louis Climate Summit, hosted by Saint Louis University as a part of its yearlong Bicentennial Celebration will bring to the Midwest some of the most authoritative minds in climate science and related disciplines for three days of discussion on climate change April 22-24, 2018.
The conference will highlight key issues in climate science, celebrate notable achievements and elucidate a path forward for one of humanity’s most pressing challenges. It was inspired by Pope Francis’ convocation of leading climate scientists at the Vatican in 2014, and the encyclical that emerged from that gathering, Laudato Si’.
A distinguished and growing list of influential speakers currently includes Jeffrey Sachs, Ph.D., of Columbia University; former NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D.; Cardinal Peter Turkson of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and advisor to Pope Francis in the formulation of Laudato Si’; Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Ph.D., of the University of California, San Diego, a recent recipient of the United Nations’ Champions of the Earth Award; and Peter Raven, Ph.D., the Director Emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, who was recognized by Time magazine as a “Hero for the Planet.” A keynote speaker will be announced closer to the date of the summit.
The conference will be chaired by Jack Fishman, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Environmental Sciences at Saint Louis University, and co-chaired by Peter Raven, Ph.D., who, like Dr. Ramanathan and Cardinal Turkson, provided valuable input to the formulation of Laudato SI’.
“The Saint Louis Climate Summit will put St. Louis on the map as a center that promotes environmental action and innovative thinking on the problem of climate change,” said Fishman. “Although the issue of climate change is not in the forefront of the concerns of most St. Louisans, there are important consequences that this region will face in the future, ranging from more frequent widespread flooding to the profitability of the region’s agricultural economy.
We all have a responsibility to participate in charting a course forward and I can’t think of a better institution to host that effort than Saint Louis University, the first Jesuit university founded west of the Mississippi River. As such, SLU has unique, relevant ties to Pope Francis’s message, who is the first Jesuit to be Pontiff, and to adhere to the Jesuit mission that encourages ‘thinking out of the box’.”
The Nine Network of Public Media will serve as media partner and will provide event management for the summit. It will host many of the speakers and panels at its facilities in Grand Center, near the campus of Saint Louis University.
For more information, click here or contact conference chair Jack Fishman, Ph.D., at Saint Louis University at (314) 977-3132 or .
For media inquiries or interview requests, contact Jeanette Grider in University Communications at (314) 977-2538 or . Download an image of the summit logo.
About the Saint Louis Climate Summit
The Saint Louis Climate Summit is dedicated to working to fulfill Pope Francis’ call to unite in defense of our common home. Saint Louis University is proudly hosting the summit as part of its bicentennial anniversary celebration and to honor Pope Francis’ call to unite leaders in defense of the health and well-being of the planet. As one of the most respected Jesuit educational institutions in the world, celebrating its 200-year anniversary in 2018 under the Catholic Church’s first-ever Jesuit Pope, there is perhaps no other institution as appropriate to convene a summit aimed at tackling the challenges outlined in Pope Francis’ Encyclical three years ago.
About Saint Louis University
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of nearly 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to serve a higher purpose while seeking the greater good.
