Sector-based Roundtable Presentations 2015
In the fall of 2015, a series of sector-based roundtable discussions on the implications of climate change for key sectors were convened. The sectors included:
- Ecosystems and Wildlife
- Human Health
- Forests and Fire
- Agriculture, Food and Water
- Energy Availability, Use and Management
- Faith Communities
- College Campuses
- Urban and Rural Communities
More than 325 people were engaged in the roundtable discussions, These participants represented a wide diversity of stakeholders with expressed concerns about the impacts of climate change on the state.
Introductory Presentation
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Donald Wilhite, Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska
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The final chapter of the report identifies several recurring themes that were considered important to all or most sectors. Concerns about the implications of climate change on the water, agriculture and energy sectors were cross-cutting as were concerns associated with human health, invasive species and the need for better access to data and information. Participants at all of the roundtables stressed the importance of the state to be proactive by developing a climate action plan in response to current and projected changes in climate. They also stressed the importance of the University of Nebraska continuing to provide leadership in developing adaptation and mitigation measures and also in educating policy makers, other decision makers and the public about climate change.
The report is available for free download here.
Ecosystems and Wildlife
Presentation Topic: Implications of climate change for wildlife and ecosystems of the Great Plains: a perspective from the Department of Interior.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Jeffrey Morisette, Director, North Central Climate Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Human Health
Presentation Topic: "Climate Disruption in Nebraska - Global Public Health Implications and Local Impact"
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ali S. Khan, Retired Assistant Surgeon General, United States Public Health Service and Dean of the UNMC College of Public Health
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Forest and Fire
Presentation Topic: "The Future of our Forests: Climate Change, Land Use and the Forest Sector"
Keynote speaker: Dr. Linda Joyce, U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Scientist, Fort Collins, Colorado.
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Agriculture, Food and Fire
Presentation Topic: Responses to Climate Change in Nebraska: Challenges and Opportunities for Agriculture
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gene Takle, Professor of Atmospheric Science, Director of Climate Science Program, Iowa State University
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Energy, Availability, Use and Management
Presentation Topic: Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change in Nebraska – An Energy Perspective
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Steve Rose, Senior Research Economist at the Electric Power Research Institute
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Faith Communities
Presentation Topic: “What's Love Got to Do With It: the Faith Response to Climate Change”
Keynote speaker: Rev. Kim Morrow, Director, Nebraska Interfaith Power & Light and Climate Change Resource Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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College Campuses
Presentation Topic: Climate Change and the Facilities Management Organization
Keynote Speaker: Don Guckert, Associate Vice President & Director, Facilities Management, University of Iowa
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Urban and Rural Communities
Keynote Speakers: Milo Mumgaard, former Senior Policy Aide for Sustainability, Lincoln Mayor's Office and Chris Anderson, City Administrator, Central City
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