As many of you may have seen in the news, the Governor’s Conference on Extreme Climate Risks and California’s Future, held on December 15 at the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park, brought together leaders on environmental issues, business, public health and public safety to focus on the risks of unpredictable and extreme weather events caused by climate change. I had the honor of opening the event, welcoming attendees and introducing Governor Brown, who participated in a panel that included Sir Richard Branson.
I found it significant (not to mention humbling) that the Secretary of Agriculture was invited to give opening remarks at this landmark event. Farms may not be the first thing to come to mind when you consider extreme climate risks, but this subject is certainly a major concern to all of us who have helped make California the nation’s leading agricultural producer and provider. Farmers and the work they do are interwoven with environmental stewardship, habitat issues, and a host of other subjects that are central to the theme of climate change. It is particularly important that we remain engaged in this discussion.
The event was a few weeks ago, but I thought it was worth mentioning that the governor’s office has provided several video segments online. I encourage you to take a look:
Part 1 <http://www.gov.ca.gov/video.php?id=48> (79 mins) – Opening remarks, Scty Karen Ross; Cal Academy Dr. Farrington; Gov. Brown; DISCUSSION: Gov Brown, Dr. Pachuari, Sir Richard Branson
Part 2 <http://www.gov.ca.gov/video.php?id=49> (80 mins) — Exec. Scty Nancy McFadden; VIDEO: Human Impacts; PANEL: Bryan Murphy; Dr. Susan Moser; Dr. Max Auffhammer; Dr. Mark Keim
Part 3 <http://www.gov.ca.gov/video.php?id=50> (103 mins) — Scty Matt Rodriguez; Nancy Sutley; VIDEO: Adaptation examples; PANEL: Heidi Cullen; Patrick Lavin, Adjutant General David Baldwin; Steve Frisch; Paul Wenger; Martha Davis; Ed Moreno; Nancy Pfund; Beth Jines
Part 4 <http://www.gov.ca.gov/video.php?id=51> (54 mins) — Chair Mary Nichols; DISCUSSION: Matt Peterson; Former Gov. Schwarzenegger