Keynote Speaker
J. Drake Hamilton
Science Policy Director
with
Growing a Clean Energy Economy
An acclaimed public speaker, J. Drake Hamilton will outline the pathway to building a clean energy economy in the U.S. She will focus on the elements needed to spur private investment and entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities around clean energy. A combination of efficiency and renewable energy are the essential building blocks of the new economy. The goals are the creation of clean energy American jobs, cutting our dependence on foreign oil, and science-based reductions in global warming pollution. The old economy, based primarily on fossil fuels, isn’t working well for us—it’s our responsibility to create a new, clean energy economy that will thrive.
J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director, Fresh Energy
J. Drake Hamilton runs the Global Warming Solutions program at Fresh Energy. Fresh Energy is a private nonprofit organization working to lead the transition to clean, efficient energy, to support healthy economies, healthy people, and a healthy environment. Hamilton’s responsibilities include scientific analysis, policy development, and outreach on clean energy solutions to global warming that will maximize economic opportunities for Minnesota. Each year, she gives more than 100 invited presentations on climate science and solutions at the scale of the problem. Her recent audiences include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Target, UBS Warburg, UnitedHealth Care, Great River Energy, and Xcel Energy.
Hamilton serves on the board of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Minnesota chapter. She was appointed by Governor Pawlenty to serve on the Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group, a group charged with recommending a Climate Action Plan that will substantially reduce Minnesota’s global warming pollution.
J. earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in physical geography from Dartmouth College and the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining Fresh Energy in 1995, she was assistant professor of geography at the George Washington University. She lives with her husband in Saint Paul, where they grow organic plums that have won blue ribbons at the Minnesota State Fair. Her birthday is on Earth Day!
We are thrilled that J. will be joining us at RE-fest 2009!
