Socially Responsible Innovation for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (Sponsored by IEEE Technical Activities Board Climate Change Program)
Friday, May 19, 2:45 – 4:15
In the 2018 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report, the 1.5oC goal would require the world to reach net zero emissions by 2050. COP26 concluded with nearly 200 countries agreeing to the Glasgow Climate Pact, which aims to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5oC and finalize the outstanding elements of the Paris Agreement and COP27 calls for action and implementation. For example, Apple commits to be 100 percent carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030. Other manufactures have established similar goals. This will have a revolutionized impact on the entire society.
In November 2019, IEEE Board of Directors precisely acknowledged this dilemma and issued an extraordinary Declaration. The resolution calls upon IEEE members and Operating Units to create frameworks to foster global cooperation within and across disciplines by developing and promoting, in IEEE’s fields of interest, technically feasible and economically viable solutions to sustainability. As the host of global technical communities, IEEE members have sensed the urgency of the issues and many technical societies and councils have established/launched climate changes programs within their domain of expertise.
Even with good intention, history has shown us that technology can have unintended consequences. For example, Mark Zuckerberg didn’t start Facebook with the anticipation for third-party abuse and political interference to run rampant on the platform. This panel will discuss the roadmap and guiding principle to create a socially responsible innovation for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Panelists:
Irene Samy, Nile University, “Green Advancement and Circular Economy”
Ravinder Dahiya, Northeastern University, “Sustainable Technologies”
Wei-Jen Lee, University of Texas Arlington, “Develop technically feasible and economically viable solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation”
IEEE Power Engineering Society Representative, TBA
Moderator: Wei-Jen Lee, University of Texas Arlington