Interested in the intersection of climate change and public policy? These topics are closely intertwined, as our collective response to the climate crisis and its impacts will cast a long shadow both in the United States and abroad. The 5th iteration of the United States’ preeminent report on climate change impacts, risks, and responses, titled the National Climate Assessment, was released in November 2023. Join Geddy Davis and Jason Cervenec from Ohio State’s Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center in exploring the finding of the report and its implications for decision making and public policy. The presentation will also include information on the overwhelming acceptance of climate change in the United States and OSU’s recently adopted Climate Change Fundamentals Certificate Program that aims to provide undergraduates with climate knowledge, expertise, and interdisciplinary opportunities for future careers.
BIOS:
Geddy Davis: Geddy Davis is the Weather & Climate Services Program Coordinator at The Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center. Geddy graduated from Ohio State in May of 2022 with a B.S. in Atmospheric Science, and also maintains additional weather forecasting qualifications via a Penn State University certificate program (Dec ’20). Geddy serves as a key partner with the State Climate Office of Ohio (SCOO) in sharing weather and climate information to Ohioans through summary writing, data collecting and monitoring, education, and outreach, as well as helping continue fruitful connections, programs, and partnerships between the two organizations and other entities.
Jason Cervenec: Jason Cervenec is the Education and Outreach Director for the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at The Ohio State University. Under his leadership, the Center’s outreach programs connect with approximately 10,000 individuals in-person annually, as well as reach audiences online through lessons, videos, and social media posts. Jason has led 4 NSF-funded research projects in polar and geosciences education. He led development of the Columbus Climate Adaptation Plan, pursues external funding to make Ohio more climate resilient, and bridges the researcher-practitioner divide to connect diverse collaborators. Jason taught high school science for 11 years and, during that time, took part in a Fulbright Teacher Exchange in Mumbai, India where he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by much of the world’s population. Jason volunteers with Franklin County Juvenile Court’s Restorative Justice Circles and enjoys hiking and cycling. Jason and his wife have three children and have rehabilitated a 1908 house on the Near East Side of Columbus.
