Science, Society, and Sustainability - Closing the Knowledge-Action Gap

In an increasingly interconnected world, where the pursuit of sustainability transcends boundaries, are we doing enough to apply our scientific knowledge to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a sustainable society? Do we already have all the knowledge and ideas to manage the climate crisis, requiring only sufficient funding and political will? What are the differences in goals and measures between the United States and Europe?

From the remote expanses of the Arctic to the bustling cities of the global south, the imperative to safeguard our environment and foster sustainable development resonates deeply. Scientific innovations in sustainability offer transformative solutions to pressing challenges. Across diverse fields—from renewable energy to climate resilience, from biodiversity conservation to equitable access to resources—innovators and thought leaders are pioneering responses that align with the SDGs.

From educating the next generation to producing relevant research, and sharing their knowledge with society, higher education institutions on both sides of the Atlantic—alongside communities and businesses—have a global responsibility and an enormous impact on the actions of their citizens.

Join us on May 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at 1014 - space for ideas for a panel discussion with the new Rector of the University of Cologne, and DAAD President, Professor Joybrato Mukherjee, and special guests Michael B. Gerrard, Benedikt Brisch, and Yaena Kwon to:

• learn about the local, national, and global opportunities and challenges stakeholders face when working toward affordable and clean energy as well as broader climate action goals
• focus on German and US approaches to close the gap between knowledge and action
• discuss how we can overcome societal impatience for climate progress with the help of transformative innovation
• exchange new ideas for pathways to a sustainable future
• network with stakeholders from universities, businesses, and communities from Germany and the United States

Doors open at 6:00 PM, event begins at 6:30 PM.

Biographies:

Michael B. Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Law School, teaches courses on environmental law, climate change law, and energy regulation, and founded and directs the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. He also chaired the faculty of Columbia University’s Earth Institute from 2015 to 2018. From 1979 through 2008, he practiced environmental law in New York, most recently as partner in charge of the New York office of Arnold & Porter. Upon joining the Law School faculty in 2009, he became the senior counsel to the firm. His practice involved trying numerous cases and arguing many appeals in federal and state courts and administrative tribunals; handling the environmental aspects of numerous transactions and development projects; and providing regulatory compliance advice to a wide variety of clients in the private and public sectors. Gerrard was the 2004-2005 chair of the American Bar Association’s 10,000-member section of environment, energy, and resources. He also chaired the New York City Bar Association’s executive committee and the New York State Bar Association’s environmental law section. He has served on the executive committees of the boards of the Environmental Law Institute and the American College of Environmental Lawyers. Several independent rating services ranked Gerrard as the leading environmental lawyer in New York and one of the leading environmental lawyers in the world.

Benedikt Brisch has been Director of the German Academic Exchange Service - DAAD North American regional office and the German Center for Research and Innovation DWIH New York since 2019. He studied history, Slavic languages and political science at the University of Cologne and has been with DAAD since 1998. Among other positions, he was Deputy Director of the DAAD Moscow Office and Head of the Division for Europe and North America at DAAD Headquarters in Bonn, Germany.  As director of DWIH in New York, he developed the new "Future Forum" format that brings together researchers and innovators from business and industry in Germany and the U.S. In 2021 he successfully negotiated an agreement between DAAD and IIE for the “Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarship”. This partnership between the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and the DAAD supports a wider effort to increase and diversify student mobility among German and American higher education institutions.

Yaena Kwon is a multilingual broadcast journalist from Germany, primarily reporting for the public broadcasters ZDF and WDR. She studied at the University of Cologne and received her Ph.D. in Political Science, after research stays at Korea University, Waseda and U.C. Berkeley. As an expert on transatlantic relations, Asia and U.S.-Asia relations, Yaena Kwon has been working as a moderator and speaker in multiple countries. Currently, she is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard University.

The event is hosted by the University of Cologne New York Office, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) New York, the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York, the German Research Foundation (DFG) North America, American Friends of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, 1014, and the German Ambassy Washington D.C. It is part of the NRW-USA Year 2023-2024.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

Unfortunately, 1014 Fifth Avenue is in the process of being refurbished, and is not fully accessible in its current state. We apologize to our guests and kindly ask you to contact j.isaacs@1014.nyc if you need further information or assistance. We will do our best to enable everyone to join us.