Exploring how climate-smart policies and agricultural innovations are reshaping food systems, advancing sustainability, and protecting food security in a warming world.

Description

As climate change disrupts agricultural productivity, water availability, and food supply chains, the pressure to transform food systems has never been greater. This event brings together leaders in agricultural policy, climate science, sustainable food production, and innovation to examine how governments, institutions, and producers are responding to the dual challenge of feeding a growing population while reducing environmental impact. Panelists will explore cutting-edge policies and practices shaping the future of farming from regenerative agriculture and soil carbon markets to government-backed climate adaptation programs and AI-driven crop modeling. Discussions will also address the political and economic realities of implementing change, as well as the trade-offs and opportunities involved in shifting to more resilient, climate-aligned food systems.

Speakers

Upmanu Lall

Global Futures Professor, and Director, Water Institute, Arizona State University

Erin Burns

Executive Director, Carbon180

David Michel

Senior Fellow, Global Food and Water Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Rebecca Riley

Managing Director, Food and Agriculture, NRDC

Chase Sova

Director of Public Policy & Research, World Food Program USA

Cristina Larrea

Director, Agriculture, Food and Sustainability Initiatives, International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Guided Questions

Upmanu Lall

Drawing from your work on water, climate, and agriculture, especially the “America’s Water Initiative”, how can decentralized “one water” strategies help support climate-smart farming, especially in areas with growing water shortages?

Erin Burns

As Executive Director of Carbon180, how can carbon removal methods like soil carbon storage and biochar help farmers reduce emissions, improve soil health, and build resilience? What policies or funding are needed to scale these solutions equitably for small farms?

David Michel

Drawing on your expertise in water and climate security, what are the most effective climate-smart agriculture strategies that balance water scarcity, energy demands, and sustainable food production?

Rebecca Riley

Drawing on your expertise at NRDC addressing fertilizer overuse, food waste, and pollinator threats, how can policies holistically tackle these challenges while helping farmers adopt sustainable practices to drive real change across the food system?

Chase Sova

Your work shows how climate change deepens food system vulnerabilities in conflict zones. How can climate-smart agriculture build resilience and promote peace, and which international policies or investments are key to scaling this?

Cristina Larrea

Drawing on your work with Indigenous communities and smallholders in Latin America and Africa, how can climate-smart policies on soil, forests, food waste, organic farming, and net-zero goals best support environmental sustainability and inclusive rural development?