The Caltech Y Social Activism Speaker Series is hosting a panel with members of the Citizens' Climate Lobby, a non partisan volunteer organization dedicated to national policy to address climate change.

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing humanity. The effects of climate change are already apparent, and immediate policy changes are required to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reverse the global warming trend. Passing legislation to deal with climate change, however, remains a partisan issue. The CCL has had success in campaigning for the passage of a Carbon Fee and Dividend bill designed to tax carbon emissions and return carbon dioxide to its pre-1990s levels. This discussion will feature a panel of CCL members from a variety of backgrounds each of whom will bring their own unique perspective. Each panel member will talk about their views and then take questions from the audience. Find out more about our panel below.

Daniel Brotman

Dan is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Glendale City College with degrees from Brown and Johns Hopkins. In addition to being an active CCL member, Dan recently formed the Glendale Environmental Coalition to address concerns over the expansion of the Grayson Power Plant and also heads the SoCal 350 Legislative Committee.

Peter Kalmus

Peter Kalmus is a climate scientist working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, speaking on his own behalf. He has a PhD in physics from Columbia University and a BA in physics from Harvard. At work, Peter uses satellite data, in situ data, and models to study the rapidly changing Earth, with a focus on boundary layer clouds. At home, he explores how dramatically reducing carbon emissions can lead to a happier, more connected life. He enjoys orcharding, beekeeping, and backpacking with his family.

Carol Kravetz

Carol Kravetz has been a Production Coordinator in Film & Television for over 30 years, and is known for her work on Breaking Bad (2008), This Is Spinal Tap (1984) and Party of Five (1994). In her active retirement she volunteers her time to fight the climate crisis with Citizens Climate Lobby on the national level and other organizations more locally. She has written a manual on what she did in the film industry and performs a 2-day live seminar, a 4 week webinar or guest lectures under the Film Industry Training Seminars (FITS) banner for people starting, changing or needing help with a career in entertainment.

Austin Minnich

Austin Minnich is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics at Caltech and a CCL member. His research focuses on the discovery of new materials for energy and environmental applications.