A conference addressing climate change, its effects and possible solutions is relocating to Chicago this summer.
Aspen Ideas: Climate has been held in Miami Beach, Florida, for the past three years and will now take place in Chicago on July 21-22, Gov. JB Pritzker and the Aspen Institute announced Tuesday.
“It’s about not just talking about what all the ideas are but presenting solutions,” Pritzker said while addressing reporters.
The conference will be run with the Chicago Climate Corps and offer participants breakout and roundtable sessions, tours of local historic sites and food, fashion and art activities.
Chicago was chosen because of its rising status as a “center of climate innovation and implementation,” according to the Aspen Ideas website.
Pritzker said the city and state have prioritized environmental action since he came into office, and the Aspen Ideas conference is another way to do that.
“Aspen Ideas Climate: Chicago belongs here, in this state, in this city,” Pritzker said.
Chicago Climate Corps founder Kobi Weinberg said Chicago is a clear choice to host the conference and address climate change head-on, citing the Midwest’s exposure to climate change and Chicago’s world-class universities, companies and government.
Aspen Institute President and CEO Dan Porterfield said the climate crisis may look daunting but it’s important to focus on possible solutions.
“There are opportunities, it’s not just simply a matter of doom and gloom,” Porterfield said. “There are jobs to create, there are startups to finance, there are communities to empower, there is water to protect, there are children to educate, there is a community to serve and to elevate.”
Last year, more than 200 speakers attended the conference, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and science educator Bill Nye. This year’s agenda and speakers haven’t been released.
Pritzker affirmed his commitment to addressing climate change in Illinois and touted the state’s achievements, including that more than two-thirds of the state’s energy generation is now from clean energy sources.
“With the federal administration retreating from its responsibilities, thought leaders, climate scientists, state-level policymakers, community organizations and activists must come together and put shoulders to the wheel,” Pritzker said.
“It’s up to us. It’s up to us to get this work done. The Aspen Ideas climate conference is the perfect forum to drive progress.”