Join us for conversations on the science information landscape and local climate action as we celebrate the 50th event in our Climate Conversations series.
About this Event
This event will feature two discussions moderated by Mariette DiChristina (Boston University) that will bridge the science and climate communication to action landscape. The first panel will focus on best practices in science communication and strategies for fostering healthy information ecosystems, featuring science communicators Sweta Chakraborty (Behavioral Scientist), Joelle Novey (Interfaith Power & Light-DC.MD.NoVA), and Amy Bolton (U.S. Botanic Gardens). For the second panel, we will be joined by local environmental leaders Maribeth DeLorenzo (D.C. Department of Energy & Environment), Mara Parker (Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Montgomery County), and John Morrill (Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination, Fairfax County) who will share about the climate mitigation and resilience efforts they are spearheading in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.
This Climate Conversation will be a hybrid event, hosted online and in-person at the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The first panel will start at 4:00PM ET and the second panel at 5:20PM ET, with an in-person reception to follow at 6:30PM. The conversations will be webcast on this webpage and will include questions from the audience. This event will be recorded and available to view on the event webpage immediately after the conversations.
In-person registration will close on Friday, February 6 at 12:00PM ET.
Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action is a monthly webinar series from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that aims to convene high-level, cross-cutting, nonpartisan conversations about issues relevant to policy action on climate change.
Participant Bios
Mariette DiChristina is Dean of Boston University’s College of Communication and professor of the practice in journalism. She is a past co-chair for the Climate Communications Initiative committee for the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
Sweta Chakraborty is a behavioral scientist who is regularly interviewed on major international news media outlets and the CEO of We Don't Have Time-North America.
Amy Bolton is the Director of Learning and Engagement at the U. S. Botanic Garden, responsible for education, visitor services, community engagement, exhibits, and special events.
Joelle Novey is the Director of Interfaith Power & Light (DC.MD.NoVA), through which congregations of many traditions come together to respond to climate change.
Maribeth De Lorenzo serves as Deputy Director at the Washington, D.C. Department of Energy & Environment, responsible for the Urban Sustainability Administration.
John Morrill is the Director of the Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination at Fairfax County, Virginia where he leads implementation of the county’s climate mitigation and resilience plans.
Mara Parker is the Climate Adaptation Program Manager for the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, where she focuses on equitable adaptation and mitigation in response to rising climate-related disasters.
