Maureen McCarthy

As our world warms, challenges to the survival and well-being of species, societies, and nature on our planet continue to mount. Action is required to prevent further degradation, repair existing damage, and mitigate future impacts. Mixing the right ingredients - social, physical and natural science knowledge, Indigenous wisdom, technologies, education, outreach, collaborations, respect, and resources – into sustainable solutions is essential to addressing the most critical challenges of our time.

This presentation will tell you about some of McCarthy's experiences working with Native American, rural and urban communities grappling with environmental, societal, and economic challenges compounded by climate change. McCarthy will show you some of the opportunities and barriers to realizing sustainable solutions she has seen. In particular, her collaborations with Native American communities have shown the value of Indigenous knowledge of sustainability and resilience.

McCarthy’s research portfolio includes managing large, multi-institutional, transdisciplinary research programs focused on climate resiliency, water sustainability, natural resource management and multi-hazard early warning. Her career has included nearly two decades of experience directing programs in science, technology, university education, intelligence analysis, and national, homeland and international security policy development for the Departments of Defense, Energy and Homeland Security. As president of McCarthy & Smith consulting, she advises public and private entities on national, homeland, environmental and energy security threats and solutions.