Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative’s Third Season of Programs
2024 marks the third full season of programming for the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative. While not as momentous as the Institution’s 150th anniversary, I think you will find much to love in our diverse exploration of nature, sustainability, environment and climate change.
We kick off the season with the fourth annual Chautauqua Lake Water Quality Conference, Saturday, June 22 at the Chautauqua Golf Club. There you will learn from researchers at The Jefferson Project and State University of New York about the work of the Institution and our partners to address harmful algae blooms and ensure a healthful future for Chautauqua Lake. Registration is required but there’s no cost to attend.
We are excited to host the CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund (yes, THAT Bezos), Andrew Steer, during Week Two for a lecture on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Steer will also join Chautauqua President Michael Hill and IBM’s John Kelly (father of the Watson supercomputer) for an intimate conversation about how we can use AI and other advanced technology tools to improve the health of freshwater lakes around the globe and here at home.
Climate activist, author and founder of the climate organization Third Act Bill McKibben returns to Chautauqua in Week Five and will be joined by former CNN White House chief correspondent and founder of the climate communication organization Planet Forward Frank Sesno for a conversation about cross-generational action on climate change. While at Chautauqua, Sesno will lead an intergenerational climate storytelling workshop (a “StoryCorps” for the climate) that we hope will serve as a national model for encouraging conversation and collaboration on climate change solutions across the generations.
In Week Seven, we are hosting a conference on the “circular economy,” where you can learn how businesses, governments and nonprofits are collectively challenging waste and elevating solutions together. This event is in collaboration with the Center for Sustainable Materials Management and will feature the environmental programs manager for Subaru of America which achieved the first “zero landfill” auto manufacturing plant in America. The conference continues our focus on regional sustainable business and is cosponsored by the Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable and the Retool Western New York initiative.
Finally, I want to highlight Week Eight where Chautauqua will explore “Water: Crisis, Beauty, Necessity,” with a weeklong series of lectures in collaboration with National Geographic. Other lectures that week will feature the director of the World Wildlife Fund’s Global Freshwater Program, and the founders of 7 Directions of Service, an indigenous environmental organization working to protect traditional tribal lands and waters along the Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina coasts.
In between these major events, and woven throughout every week of the season, you are sure to find many interesting and informative programs, many of which continue collaborations with our wonderful partners at the Chautauqua Bird, Tree & Garden Club and Chautauqua Science Group. And don’t forget to stop by our Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative table every Sunday on Bestor Plaza from noon to 1:30 p.m. Say hi and take away some free sustainable product samples as we continue to encourage our visitors to consider alternatives to single use plastics.
I hope to see all of you this summer at Chautauqua!
Week One
Annual Chautauqua Lake Science Conference
8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • Saturday, June 22 • Chautauqua Golf Club
Lake science experts from the Jefferson Project, State University of New York, and North Carolina State.
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, June 23 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Chautauqua Science Group Lecture
9:15 a.m. • Tuesday, June 25 • Hurlbut Sanctuary
Profs. Courtney Wigdahl-Perry and Tim Frerichs, SUNY Fredonia
How scientists and artists work together to conserve Chautauqua Lake.
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Tuesday, June 25 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Marisa Riggi, Executive Director, Western New York Land Conservancy
Preserving Western New York’s special places.
Week Two
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, June 30 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Film: The Last Ranger
5:00 p.m. • Sunday, June 30 • Location: TBD
A film about rhino poaching in South Africa. Conversation to follow with Mike Veale, founder, Global Conservation Force and David Lee, filmmaker.
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Tuesday, July 2 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Protecting native pollinators: Bumblebee Banquet with Heather Holm, pollinator conservationist and author.
Film: The Last Bumblebee
6:30 p.m. • Tuesday, July 2 • Location: TBD
A film about safeguarding our precious pollinators. Conversation to follow with filmmaker Janice Overbeck.
Chautauqua Lecture Series: Andrew Steer, President and CEO, Bezos Earth Fund
10:45 a.m. • Thursday, July 4 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Artificial intelligence tools to protect our environment and climate.
Master Series: Andrew Steer, Michael Hill, John Kelly
12:30 p.m. • Friday, July 5 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Conversation about how advanced technology including AI can help solve harmful algae blooms.
Week Three
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, July 7 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
CLSC Book Discussion – The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance
12:15 p.m. • Monday, July 8 • Alumni Hall porch
Book discussion led by Mark Wenzler, Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative.
Film: The Story of Plastic
4:00 p.m. • Tuesday, July 9 • Location: TBD
A documentary film about plastic waste in our environment, and discussion with Michael O’Heaney, Executive Director, Story of Stuff Project
Film: The Story of Plastic short films
6:00 p.m. • Wednesday, July 10 • Location: TBD
A series of animated shorts demonstrating solutions to the plastic pollution problem, with Michael O’Heaney, Executive Director, Story of Stuff Project
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Presentation
3:30 p.m. • Thursday, July 11 | Hall of Philosophy
The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World Out of Balance by Dan Egan
Climate Change Initiative Lecture & Walking Tour
9:00 a.m. • Friday, July 12 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Join Brad Parks, conservation director of Washed Ashore—Art to Save the Sea to learn about Chautauqua’s beautiful new Washed Ashore Osprey sculpture, followed by a walking tour of the sculpture.
Week Four
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, July 14 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Film: In the Whale
8:00 p.m. • Sunday, July 14 • Location: TBD
A true story of a fisherman swallowed by a whale. Discussion to follow with David Abel, Boston Globe reporter and filmmaker.
Chautauqua Science Group Lecture
9:15 a.m. • Tuesday, July 16 • Hurlbut Sanctuary
Preserving farmland and an increasingly crowded world, with Rachel Chrostowski, Farmland Conservation Director, Western New York Land Conservancy
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Tuesday, July 16 • Smith Wilkes Hall
The importance of native plants in our environment, with Carolyn Summers.
Film: Inundation District
5:00 p.m. • Thursday, July 18 • Location: TBD
A film about one city’s decision to ignore climate change threats. Discussion to follow with David Abel, Boston Globe reporter and filmmaker.
Week Five
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, July 21 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Chautauqua Science Group Lecture
9:15 a.m. • Tuesday, July 23 • Hurlbut Sanctuary
Climate science at U.S. EPA, with Kevin Teichman, former chief science advisor at U.S. EPA
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 PM • Tuesday, July 23 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Establishing the constitutional right to a healthy environment, with Maya van Rossum, Delaware River Keeper and founder of Green Amendments For The Generations.
Master Series: Frank Sesno and Margaret Sullivan
5 p.m. • Tuesday, July 23 • Norton Hall
A Master Series Roundtable with Margaret Sullivan and Frank Sesno.
Chautauqua Lecture Series Lecture: Bill McKibben & Frank Sesno
10:45 a.m. • Wednesday, July 24 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Connecting across the generations to build toward climate solutions, with Bill McKibben, climate activist, author, and founder of 360.org and Third Act with Frank Sesno, journalist, executive director of the George Washington University Alliance for a Sustainable Future, and founder of Planet Forward.
Book Signing: Frank Sesno, Ask More
1:30 p.m. • Wednesday, July 24 • Chautauqua Bookstore
Master Series: Bill McKibben
5 p.m. • Wednesday, July 24 • Norton Hall
Join climate activist, author, and founder of 360.org and Third Act, Bill McKibben, for a discussion of his latest book, The Flag, The Cross, and the Station Wagon.
Climate Change Initiative Program: Intergenerational Climate Storytelling
12:15 p.m. • Thursday, July 25 • Smith Wilkes Hall
A demonstrating of intergenerational climate change stories that connect older and younger generations in solidarity, with Frank Sesno, Planet Forward, and members of Third Act Upstate New York group.
Week Six
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, June 28 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Climate Change Initiative Lecture: Beyond Plastics
12:15 p.m. • Monday, July 29 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Policy and advocacy approaches to ending plastic pollution, with Judith Enck, president, Beyond Plastics.
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Tuesday, July 30 • Smith Wilkes Hall
“We Are One Song With the Earth,” with Elmore Demott, founder of Elmore Creates.
Week Seven
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, Aug. 4 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Osprey Sculpture Dedication
3:30 p.m. • Monday, Aug. 5 • Athenaeum Hotel Lakefront
Ceremony to dedicate Chautauqua’s new Osprey sculpture by Washed Ashore.
Chautauqua Science Group Lecture
9:15 a.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 6 • Hurlbut Sanctuary
The wonder and awe of our universe, with Mike Humphrey, Buffalo Astronomical Association.
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 6 • Smith Wilkes Hall
The wonder, awe and conservation of Ecuadorian wildlife, with David Agro, Jocotoco Conservation Foundation.
Climate Change Initiative Program: Circular Economy Forum
12:15 p.m. • Wednesday, Aug. 7 • Smith Wilkes Hall
The Circular Economy: Working Toward a Waste-Free World, featuring the Center for Sustainable Materials Management, Subaru of America, Inc., and Finger Lakes Reuse.
Film: Beyond Zero
5:30 p.m. • Wednesday, Aug. 7 • Location: TBD
An inspirational roadmap for how business can reverse climate change.
Week Eight
Sunday Activity Fair: Climate Change Initiative
Noon • Sunday, Aug. 11 • Bestor Plaza
Community tabling focused on moving beyond plastics, with product giveaways.
Chautauqua Lecture Series Lecture with National Geographic
10:45 a.m. • Monday, Aug. 12 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Erika Woolsey, National Geographic Explorer, visiting scholar at the Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab, and chief scientist and CEO of The Hydrous, a non-profit dedicated to translating ocean science into public understanding.
Interfaith Lecture Series Lecture
2:00 p.m. • Monday, Aug. 12 • Hall of Philosophy
Gopal Patel, co-founder and director of FutureFaith, bringing wisdom and insights from faith and spirituality to address global challenges.
Chautauqua Science Group Lecture
9:15 a.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 13 • Hurlbut Sanctuary
Research science protecting the waters of Lake Erie and beyond, with Jeannette Schnars, Lake Erie Regional Science Consortium.
Chautauqua Lecture Series Lecture with National Geographic
10:45 a.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 13 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Marc Bierkens, Malin Fezehai & Arati Kumar-Rao: Three National Geographic Explorers whose work examines water issues across the world come together in conversation on the Amphitheater stage
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 • Tuesday, Aug. 13 • Smith Wilkes Hall
The World Wildlife Fund’s Global Freshwater Protection Initiative, with Jeff Opperman, Director World Wildlife Fund Global Freshwater Program
Interfaith Lecture Series Lecture
2:00 p.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 13 • Hall of Philosophy
Adriana Nieto, Professor and chair of Chicana/o/a/x Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Chautauqua Lecture Series Lecture with National Geographic
10:45 a.m. • Wednesday, Aug. 14 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Agustina “Tati” Besada & Rachael Zoe Miller, Advocates of plastic pollution prevention and National Geographic Explorers
Climate Change Initiative Lecture and Films
12:15 p.m. • Wednesday, Aug. 14 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Indigenous Water Protection — The Rights of Rivers , with Crystal Cavalier-Keck and Jason Crazy Bear Keck, founders of Seven Directions of Service
Interfaith Lecture Series Lecture
2:00 p.m. • Wednesday, Aug. 14 • Hill of Philosophy
Elyse Goldstein, founding Rabbi of City Shul, a Reform congregation in downtown Toronto she started in 2011.
Chautauqua Lecture Series Lecture with National Geographic
10:45 a.m. • Thursday, Aug. 15 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Alison Criscitiello, National Geographic Explorer, ice core scientist and high-altitude mountaineer who explores the history of sea ice in polar and high-alpine regions using ice core chemistry.
Interfaith Lecture Series Lecture
2:00 p.m. • Thursday, Aug. 15 • Hall of Philosophy
Hussein A. Amery, professor of water politics and policy at Colorado School of Mines.
Chautauqua Lecture Series Lecture with National Geographic
10:45 a.m. • Friday, Aug. 16 • Chautauqua Amphitheater
Laurent Ballesta, French photographer, National Geographic Explorer, trained marine biologist and photographer for National Geographic magazine.
Climate Change Initiative Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Friday, Aug. 16 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Plastics in Our Waters and in Us — Solutions to the Plastic Pollution Crisis, with Sherri (“Sam”) Mason, leading researcher on freshwater plastic pollution.
Interfaith Lecture Series Lecture
2:00 p.m. • Friday, Aug. 16 • Hall of Philosophy
Erin Huber Rosen, a rural water, sanitation, and hygiene expert, social entrepreneur, author, documentarian, clean water advocate, executive director and founder of the nonprofit, Drink Local Drink Tap.
Week Nine
Bird, Tree & Garden Club Lecture
12:15 p.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 20 • Smith Wilkes Hall
Natural Connections – Looking at Birds for Answers in Land Conservation, with Twan Leenders, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.