Convergence on Zero Conference
25th - 26th June 2009
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - Baird Auditorium
Our greenhouse gas emissions, notably carbon dioxide, are turning up the thermostat of the planet. As a result, we are facing an increase in global temperature beyond that at which humanity evolved and societies were formed. This increase is also putting pressure on natural systems and the delicate relationships between thousands of species. We are stretching our planetary life support systems to their limit.
The fossil fuel dependant infrastructure that we have built around us does not have the resilience to cope with rapid changes in climate nor the disappearance of the cheap, abundant energy that has fuelled our progress over the last two hundred years. With our financial systems in crisis, we no longer have the ready money to buy our way out of the problem.
We face a "triple crunch" in climate, in energy and in economics.
Humanity is at a crossroads in history. It is time we took the sustainable route. 2009 could be remembered in the future as the year we all woke up and faced the challenge of climate change, opted out of “business as usual” and started implementing solutions to the problems we are all facing.
The Convergence on Zero is about implementing solutions.
The Convergence on Zero is a conference that brings together the leading environmental thinkers and doers from Wales, the United Kingdom, to share their work with the United States. For two days at the end of June, this team of scientists, engineers, architects, researchers and business innovators will open an honest and frank debate on climate change, energy security and sustainable economics. They will frame the discussion with the latest climate science and focus on the practical solutions in technology, design and human behaviour that we have at our disposal in this time of great change.
The Convergence on Zero will foster inclusive debate and collective problem solving, bringing the audience and the speakers together as equal participants in the design of a zero emissions future.
