Private Virtual Event: Intelligence Squared U.S. Tapes “Humans Can Adapt to Climate Change” Debate April 30

The dangers of climate change are “no longer over the horizon.” Humanity may soon pass the “point of no return.” These are the phrases U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used to describe what he called an “utterly inadequate” global response to rising temperatures. But if we were to decisively act, and restructure our global economy with the climate in mind, who would shoulder the burden? Or should our collective focus orient more toward humans’ capacity for adaptation? In this timely debate, award-winning debate series Intelligence Squared and the Richmond Forum convene four leading global thinkers on climate science, geopolitics, and international economics to take on this motion: “Humans Can Adapt to Climate Change”

While the debate will not be released widely until July 1st, via public radio, video and the Intelligence Squared U.S. podcast, press are invited to virtually attend the live taping on Saturday, April 30 at 8:00 PM. Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for press access.

Arguing in favor of the motion are Copenhagen Consensus Center president Bjorn Lomborg, who has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, and USC professor Matthew Kahn, a leading researcher and educator in the field of environmental economics. Arguing against the motion are economic policy expert Michele Wucker, author of best-seller The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers we Ignore, and environmental scientist Kaveh Madani, former Vice President of the United Nations Environment Assembly Bureau.

FOR THE MOTION - BIOS

* Matthew Kahn: Provost Professor of Economics and Spatial Sciences, University of Southern California 
Mathew Kahn is a leading researcher and educator in the field of environmental economics, examining carbon footprints of different cities and how residents adapt to climate change. He is also the author of several books on the subject, including “Unlocking the Potential of Post Industrial Cities,” “Green Cities: Urban Growth and the Environment,” “Climatopolis,” and “Blue Skies over Beijing: Economic Growth and the Environment in China,” among others. A research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, he also served the director of the 21st Century Cities Initiative at Johns Hopkins University between 2019 to 2021, after earning his PhD in economics from the University of Chicago.

* Bjorn Lomborg: President, Copenhagen Consensus Center & Author, “False Alarm” 
Dr. Bjorn Lomborg is president of the Copenhagen Consensus Center and a visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution. The Copenhagen Consensus Center is a think-tank focused on finding effective strategies for solving the world’s problems. Lomborg has been named one of TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world and his books include "False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet" and "The Skeptical Environmentalist", and “Cool It.” Lomborg earned a doctorate in political science from the University of Copenhagen.

AGAINST THE MOTION - BIOS

* Michele Wucker: Economic Policy Expert & Founder, Gray Rhino & Company 
Michele Wucker is founder of the Chicago-based strategy firm Gray Rhino & Company, named after the term she coined to call attention to highly probable, obvious risks that are often neglected. Drawing on three decades of experience in financial media and thinktank management, Michele is a sought after speaker who has delivered keynotes and workshops on five continents. Her writing has appeared in publications around the world. Her third of four books, "The Gray Rhino: How to Recognize and Act on the Obvious Dangers we Ignore,” is an international bestseller.

* Kaveh Madan: Environmental Scientist, & Former Vice President of the United Nations Environment Assembly Bureau, & Former Deputy Head of Iran’s Department of Environment
Kaveh Madani is an environmental scientist, educator, and activist working on complex human-natural systems at the interface of science, policy, and society. He is currently head of the Research Programme at United Nations University, and a research professor at City University of New York. He previously served as the Deputy Head of Iran's Department of Environment and as Vice President of the UN Environment Assembly Bureau. He has worked on water management, environmental policy, energy systems, food security, climate change impacts and adaptation, and sustainable development. Madani earned a doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of California Davis.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) was founded to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Through its award-winning live debates and associated programming, the nonprofit company serves as a model for responsible media in a new age - fair, intelligent, nonpartisan - while restoring critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to public discourse. Recently recognized as "Best Podcast Event of 2020" by Adweek, Intelligence Squared U.S. reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including public radio (the show airs in all top 25 markets that carry specials), podcasts, video live streaming, newsletters, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps including Roku and Apple TV. With over 190 Oxford-style debates and counting, plus additional podcast and video content, IQ2US has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics for over a decade. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated since 2008.

For more information on Intelligence Squared U.S., contact Ray Padgett (raypadgett@shorefire.com) or Mark Satlof (msatlof@shorefire.com) at Shore Fire Media.