Past Event

Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference 2024 (ICR24)

The Wilson Center partnered with Battelle for the third annual Innovations in Climate Resilience Conference. The urgent need for scalable solutions to meet the challenge presented by the climate crisis inspired ICR24's theme, "Solutions for Scaling Change."

ICR24 gathered environmental professionals, scientists, researchers, students, and leaders from the White House, Department of Energy, National Labs, Department of Defense, industry, and academia to enable innovations in climate resilience. This community came together to discuss transformative ideas and explore real solutions to address climate change threats to our environment, health, communities, national security, and economic well-being, from the perspective of three overarching themes—adaptation, mitigation, sustainability. 

This conference was presented and hosted by Battelle.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers worldwide, Battelle teams conduct research and development, design and manufacture products, deliver critical services for government and commercial customers, and help to enable science at nine U.S. national laboratories. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, energy, environment, and infrastructure industries.

Battelle Logo

ICR24 Conference

Keynote Speakers

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
United States Representative (1989-2019); Chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (2011-2013); Senior Policy Director, Akin Gump        
Maria Luiza Viotti
Maria Luiza Viotti
Ambassador of Brazil to the United States
Anthony Leiserowitz_Yale_Headshot
Anthony Leiserowitz
Director, Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and Senior Research Scientist, Yale University
Douglas Chan
Douglas Chan
Chief Operating Officer, Climeworks
Ben Reinke_Headshot
Ben Reinke
Vice President of Global Business Development, X-energy
Ben Vinson III
Ben Vinson III
President, Howard University
Franco Amalfi
Franco Amalfi
Director, Sustainability Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships - North America, Capgemini
Monica Serrano
Monika Serrano
Resilience Program Manager, Turner Construction
Kelly_Cummins_Image
Kelly Cummins
Acting Director, Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
Ali Zaidi
Ali Zaidi
Assistant to the President, National Climate Advisor, the White House
Geri Richmond
Dr. Geri Richmond
Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, Department of Energy

Moderators

John Conger Image
John Conger
President, Conger Strategies and Solution; former Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, U.S. Department of Defense
MacDonald_Headshot
Katie MacDonald
Co-Founder, Tailwind

Panelists

Meredith Berger
Meredith Berger
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations, and Environment 
Nancy_Balkus_Image
Nancy Balkus, P.E.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Environment, Safety and Infrastructure
Mercer headshot
Jennifer Mercer
Head of Arctic Sciences in the Office of Polar Programs, NationalScience Foundation (NSF)
Sonam Velani
Sonam Velani
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Streetlife Ventures
Drapkin headshot
Julia Kumari Drapkin
CEO, I See Change
Alex Headshot
Alex Laplaza
Former Investor and Adaptation Expert, Lowercarbon Capital
Rachel Jacobson
Rachel Jacobson
Assistant Secretary of the United States Army,  Installations, Energy, and Environment)

Hosted By

Environmental Change and Security Program

The Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP) explores the connections between environmental change, health, and population dynamics and their links to conflict, human insecurity, and foreign policy.   Read more

Environmental Change and Security Program

Polar Institute

Since its inception in 2017, the Polar Institute has become a premier forum for discussion and policy analysis of Arctic and Antarctic issues, and is known in Washington, DC and elsewhere as the Arctic Public Square. The Institute holistically studies the central policy issues facing these regions—with an emphasis on Arctic governance, climate change, economic development, scientific research, security, and Indigenous communities—and communicates trusted analysis to policymakers and other stakeholders.    Read more

Polar Institute