MEDIA ADVISORY: Yale Symposium Focuses on Technology for a Secure Energy Future

Leaders in science, policy, business and international affairs will convene at Yale to discuss the future of energy April 9 during the Yale Climate & Energy Institute’s second annual energy symposium, titled “Technological Innovation for a Secure Energy Future.”

The event, which will take place at Yale University Law School and is open to media, will explore recent scientific advancement in alternative energy, along with the barriers that hinder the transition to a post-fossil fuels economy and potential solutions for overcoming those barriers.

Scientific presentations on genetics and bioenergy, solar fuels, and batteries and energy storage will be followed by panel discussions involving industry leaders.

A roundtable discussion, moderated by Bill Blakemore of ABC News, will include:

• Rajendra Pachauri, Chairman, IPCC; Director, TERI; Director, YCEI
• Lykke Friis, Danish Minister for Climate and Energy
• Marc Spitzer, Commissioner, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
• Noubar Afeyan, CEO, Flagship Ventures
• Arun Majumdar, Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency, U.S. Department of Energy
• Ernest Moniz, Director, MIT Energy Initiative
• Tom Pincince, CEO, Digital Lumens
• James Woolsey, Former Director, CIA

The full program and speaker biographies are available at www.yale.edu/ycei/annualconference2011.

Registration is required. Media interested in attending the event should RSVP with Suzanne Taylor Muzzin at 203-432-8555 or suzanne.taylormuzzin@yale.edu.

The Yale Climate & Energy Institute (YCEI) seeks to understand Earth’s climate system, ecological and social impacts of climate change, the strengths and weaknesses of current political and economic system’s ability to respond to climate change, and to provide realistic, implementable solutions to societies and communities around the world.

The YCEI is an umbrella organization within Yale University, composed of all relevant departments, centers and faculty. Its mission promotes a multidisciplinary approach to learning, research, and the development of strategies that help societies contribute to solutions and adapt to the challenges of local and global climatic changes.