Hugo Neu Corporation Sustainability Seminar Series: Is Focusing on Climate Adaptation Over Climate Mitigation a Sustainability Cop-Out?
Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering
Speaker: Thomas “Tom” Lewis, PE, JD Executive, Board Director, Independent Advisor, Author
ABSTRACT
This is intended to be a timely and debate-provoking topic tied at least in part to the increasing political polarization of (and even some backlash to) the prioritization and funding of aggressive decreases in fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions over the next few decades in order to mitigate human-caused climate change. The other less politicized and more immediately tangible means of climate action being to physically adapt the most vulnerable elements of our communities and infrastructure to become more resilient to our warming climate, extreme weather, and rising sea levels. If for at least the purposes of this seminar, we may assume that it is highly unlikely that society can or will find a way to fund and do both, the rationale of focusing on climate adaptation as a preference over climate mitigation in the near term will be presented and discussed. The ultimate question for discussion then being: is it a complete sustainability cop-out to pursue such a path - even if it is the most immediately tangible and practicable?
BIOGRAPHY
Tom Lewis is an engineer, environmental specialist, emergency manager, business executive, independent advisory consultant, and board director with over 35 years of professional experience. He has a particular passion for climate action, resilience, and sustainability and was the lead author of a book on this topic that was published in 2023. Tom’s experience comes from five years in the government sector and over thirty in the private sector. He has also served and continues to serve regionally, nationally, and globally on a variety of non-profit boards, advisory boards, and associated committees - including but not limited to the International Coalition for Sustainable Infrastructure (ICSI) and the Climate Adaptation Center (CAC). He is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in NY and NJ and has BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from the University of Connecticut as well as a Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from Rutgers Law School.
Zoom Link:
https://stevens.zoom.us/s/93320868101
Website:
https://www.stevens.edu/sustainability-seminar-series
Jointly Sponsored by:
HUGO NEU Corporation
WSP
Brown and Caldwell
H2M Architects and Engineers
Lozier Inc.
Dewberry
HDR