Distinguished Climate Speaker Series: Jonathan Foley

For the UC Merced Earth Institute's Fall '26 Distinguished Climate Speaker Series event, Dr. Jonathan Foley brings a message of science-backed hope. Using Project Drawdown’s innovative Drawdown Explorer as a backdrop, Dr. Foley will explain how researchers evaluate climate solutions based on impact, speed, cost, location, scalability, and additional community benefits to make smart decisions about investing in climate actions that are getting real world results. Gain a clearer understanding of which solutions have the greatest potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and how individuals, businesses, communities, and governments can focus their efforts where they’ll make the biggest difference.

Move beyond the fear and uncertainty by understanding what is already working—and see why optimism, backed by science, is an important part of solving the climate crisis.

Following Dr. Foley’s Keynote, he will join a roundtable discussion moderated by Dr. Tracey Osborne—founding Director of the University of California Center for Climate Justice and Presidential Chair in the Management of Complex Systems Department at the UC Merced—alongside panelists Dr. Joshua Garcia, Department of Life and Environmental Science, UC Merced; and soil biogeochemist Dr. Allegra Mayer from the Lawrence Livermore National Lab.

About Dr. Jonathan Foley

Jonathan Foley, Ph.D., is a world-renowned environmental scientist, sustainability expert, educator, and public speaker. He is the executive director of Project Drawdown, a leading platform for climate solutions. His work focuses on understanding our changing planet and finding new solutions to sustain the climate, ecosystems, and natural resources we all depend on. Jon’s groundbreaking research and insights have made him a trusted advisor to governments, foundations, non-profits, and business leaders worldwide. He and his colleagues have made major contributions to our understanding of global ecosystems, food systems, climate change, and the sustainability of the world’s resources. He has published over 130 peer-reviewed scientific articles, including many highly cited works in Science, Nature, and PNAS. In 2014, Thomson Reuters named him a Highly Cited Researcher in ecology and environmental science, placing him among the top 1 percent most cited global scientists.

Event Schedule:

2:30 PM -Doors open

3:00 PM -Event Start: Opening Remarks

3:10 PM -Keynote Lecture by Dr. Jonathan Foley: “We Can Do This! A hopeful, science-based framework to stop climate change and build a better world.”

3:55 PM –Introduction of moderator, Tracey Osborne, and panelists Josh Garcia and Allegra Mayer

4:10 PM -Panel discussion and Q&A with the speakers moderated (Audience questions as time permits)

4:45~5:00 PM– Closing Remarks and Event End

Parking: Paid parking for visitors is available in the Bellevue Lot (see here for directions and wayfinding to the Conference Center). For parking cost and payment option details, please visit .

For more information about the UC Merced Earth Institute visit our website.