Crossroads Lecture: Energizing the Low-Carbon Future

Dan Kammen will speak on renewable energy systems at the Crossroads Lecture on Sunday, Oct. 7

Sunday, Oct. 7 at 2 p.m. at Orcas Center

Orcas Crossroads Lecture Series will host Professor Daniel Kammen, who will present – Energizing the Low-Carbon Future – Sunday, October 7, 2012, 2:00 pm at the Orcas Center.

In “Energizing the Low-Carbon Future,” Dr. Kammen will explore innovations in and barriers to building renewable energy systems worldwide, from villages to large regional economies. He will focus on tools and technologies already available, such as measures to improve energy efficiency throughout the economy, as well as others needed to battle for a sustainable planet. His ultimate goal is to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions substantially throughout the world and thereby combat global climate changes threatening our future.

An inspiring public speaker, Dr. Kammen is one of the world’s leading authorities on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable-energy systems — including technical, economic and public-policy aspects. He is Class of 1935 Distinguished Professor in the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley, where he founded and directs the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory and directs the Transportation Sustainability Research Center. A Ph.D. physicist from Harvard, he is also holds appointments in the Department of Nuclear Engineering and the Goldman School of Public Policy at Berkeley. The author of over 250 journal articles and 50 reports, he is coauthor of Should We Risk It? Exploring Environmental, Health, and Technological Problem Solving (Princeton University Press, 1999).

In 2010–2012 Kammen served as Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the World Bank. Having often testified before US House and Senate committees, as well as state legislatures, he has been advising the New Apollo Energy Project, a Congressional initiative spearheaded by Senator Maria Cantwell and Representative Jay Inslee. He was also a lead author of several reports of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore. He currently serves as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Clean Energy Envoy to the Americas.

“The track record is clear,” Kammen writes. “Per dollar invested, renewables and efficiency generate significantly more jobs than fossil fuels.” According to his Laboratory’s analyses, for example, “solar installation creates five or more times the number of jobs than a comparable natural-gas power plant.” This far exceeds the job-creation potential of the proposed Cherry Point coal terminal.

Imagine energy independence – come with your questions and thoughts for the Q & A session, then join us for the reception following the presentation.

Tickets are $10 and available at Darvill’s Bookstore, online at www.orcascrossroads.org or at the door. Some complimentary tickets are available in advance at the Senior Center.

The next Crossroads lecture features Claudia H. Kawas, M.D., who will present “Lessons from the Oldest Old:  The 90+ Study” on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2:00 pm at Orcas Center.

Orcas Crossroads Lecture Series is supported by our Crossroads Associates Circle, the Daniel and Margaret Carper Foundation, and Individual Contributors. Find more information at the Orcas Crossroads website: www.orcascrossroads.org