Beyond Fossil Fuels:
Just Transition in Arizona and Germany

Fossil fuels are still the main source of energy for both Germany and the US. The supply of fossil fuels creates and secures numerous employment opportunities; however, there is an urgency and necessity to shift away from fossil fuels towards green energy due to climate change.

Join us for robust panel discussions about Germany's Just Transition approach both during the hard coal exit in the Ruhr Area, and then later in the ongoing lignite coal exit in the Rhineland and Lusatia. Also hear from ASU professors and energy experts who will discuss how to phase out coal and foster innovation in Arizona.

Agenda

8:30 a.m.: Coffee and Networking

9:00 a.m.: Welcome Remarks by ASU and POCACITO
Lauren Kuby (Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU)
followed by keynotes by
Susanne Vollmer (Consulate General of Germany in Los Angeles)
Nicole Horseherder is a Diné (Navajo) environmental activist and long-time advocate for an end to extractive energy economies. She is the executive director of Tó Nizhóní Ání, a grassroots organization focused on preserving and protecting the environment and charting a new path forward for the Diné people as the coal economy fades.

9:30 a.m.: Session 1 - Coal Exit (Phasing Out Fossil Fuels)
Christian Hauenstein (Research Group Coal Exit)
Kris Mayes (Professor of Practice, School for the Future of Innovation in Society)

10:15 a.m.: Session 2 - Transitioning into New Industries and Jobs
Bernd Tischler (Mayor of Bottrop, Germany)
Shade Shutters (Research Scientist, School of Complex Adaptive Systems)
Ginger Sykes Torres (Environmental Consultant and Vice Chair of the Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission for the City of Phoenix)

11:10 a.m.: Session 3 - A Just Transition (Social and Equity Implications)
Christine Herntier (Mayor of Spremberg, Germany)
Julia Guarino (Founding Director, Four Corners Rising)
Daniel Musgrove(Business Developement Manager, SolSystems)

12:00 p.m.: Large Panel Discussion (Transatlantic learning)

12:45 p.m.: Closing remarks

1:00 p.m.: Lunch and Networking

Hosted by POCACITO (Post-Carbon Cities of Tomorrow)

This hybrid event will be held in person and via zoom.

UPDATE: The in-person aspect of this event is overcapacity. Email Lauren.Kuby@asu.edu to be placed on the waitlist.

To attend virtually, register via ZOOM.