Since the end of the most recent ice age, 11,000 years ago, human ingenuity and adaptability have led to enormous changes in the way we live. The rapid global expansion of human population and industrialization in the past six decades has led to alarming changes to Earth’s climate, among other things. Now we find ourselves facing serious challenges to present and future generations — challenges that seem overwhelming at times. Please help us explore several reasons for optimism and hope. Since the end of the most recent ice age, 11,000 years ago, human ingenuity and adaptability have led to enormous changes in the way we live. The rapid global expansion of human population and industrialization in the past six decades has led to alarming changes to Earth’s climate, among other things. Now we find ourselves facing serious challenges to present and future generations — challenges that seem overwhelming at times. Please help us explore several reasons for optimism and hope. Discussants:

• Sean Birkel, Assistant Professor & Maine State Climatologist, Climate Change Institute & Cooperative Extension
• Dan Dixon, Sustainability Director and Research Assistant Professor, UMaine Climate Change Institute
• Ivan Fernandez, Professor of Soil Science; Distinguished Maine Professor, Climate Change Institute & School of Forest Resources
• George Jacobson, Professor Emeritus of Biology, Ecology, and Climate Change; and Former Director, Climate Change Institute (Facilitator)
• Elizabeth Leclerc, Research Graduate Student, UMaine Climate Change Institute
• Bonnie Newsom, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Maine