Courtesy photo.
Johnson will answer vital questions on the future of climate change solutions in conversation with Patagonia’s K. Corley Kenna
SUMMARY
- UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, What if We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Future in conversation with Patagonia’s K. Corley Kenna
- Tues, May 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Campbell Hall (note new date)
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- Marine biologist, policy advisor and writer Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson will address the climate crisis as she encourages us to step away from hopelessness and envision possibility
- Johnson will be joined in conversation by K. Corley Kenna, leader of Patagonia’s Global Communications and Public Policy team
- Johnson serves on the board of directors of Patagonia
- She holds a BA in environmental science from Harvard and a Ph.D. in marine biology from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography
- RELATED EVENT: The Power of Play: Building Community in Marine Habitats (Free Surf Lessons with The Sea League)
- Part of the UCSB Arts & Lectures Justice For All initiative
- $30 / $20 / FREE for UCSB students (with valid ID)
- Tickets & Info: www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu
“Ayana Elizabeth Johnson embodies and inspires optimism in the fight against climate change, injecting creativity, joy and hope into an issue that often feels dire.” TIME magazine
SANTA BARBARA — UCSB Arts & Lectures presents Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson in conversation with K. Corley Kenna on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Campbell Hall. Marine biologist, policy advisor and writer Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities, and co-creator of the podcast How to Save a Planet. Her forthcoming book, What if We Get It Right? offers answers to the crucial question: What would the future look like if we forged ahead with all the solutions to actually address the climate crisis? With grace and humanity, Johnson encourages us to step away from hopelessness and envision possibility.
RELATED EVENT: The Power of Play: Building Community in Marine Habitats
Surf Lessons with The Sea League
Saturday, May 4 | 10:00 AM | Leadbetter Beach
Learn about the natural world in this morning of community building, including an all-levels surf lesson led by The Sea League’s expert staff. Through the power of play, draw connections between rising temperature and acidification, rising sea levels and environmental injustice. (Ages 18+, all levels welcome)
Very Limited Spaces Available. Contact the A&L Ticket Office at (805) 893-3535
Part of A&L’s Thematic Learning Initiative
With thanks to our visionary partners, Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, for their support of the Thematic Learning Initiative
ABOUT DR. AYANA ELIZABETH JOHNSON
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and Brooklyn native. She is co-founder of Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities. She co-edited the bestselling climate anthology All We Can Save, co-founded The All We Can Save Project, and co-created the Spotify/Gimlet climate solutions podcast How to Save a Planet.
Recently, Johnson co-authored the Blue New Deal, a roadmap for including the ocean in climate policy. Previously, as executive director of the Waitt Institute, she co-founded the Blue Halo Initiative and led the Caribbean’s first successful island-wide ocean zoning effort. She also developed U.S. federal ocean policy at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Johnson earned a BA from Harvard University in environmental science and public policy, and a Ph.D. from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in marine biology, with a dissertation on the ecology, socio-economics and policy of sustainably managing coral reefs. The fish trap she invented to reduce bycatch won the first Rare/National Geographic Solution Search.
Dr. Johnson serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, on the advisory boards of Environmental Voter Project and Scientific American, and on the steering committee for the Ocean Justice Forum. Recent recognitions include, the Schneider Award for climate communication, the Time 100 Next List, and appointment to the Secretary of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board.
Her writing has been published widely, including in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Scientific American. Dr. Johnson’s forthcoming book is titled What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures.
She is the proud daughter of a teacher/farmer and an architect/potter. She is in love with climate solutions.
ABOUT K. CORLEY KENNA
- Corley Kenna leads Patagonia’s Global Communications and Public Policy team. Kenna is a public affairs and communications professional with more than 20 years of experience. She served in the Obama administration with Secretary Hillary Clinton, serving as a Senior Advisor in the U.S. State Department in the office of Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. Prior to joining the team at Patagonia, she was a Managing Director at Burson-Marsteller and a Vice President at Ralph Lauren. At Patagonia, Kenna is responsible for the development and execution of the company’s global communication strategy and the advancement of key policy issues related to the company’s business and advocacy priorities. Kenna is a contributor to Ayana Johnson’s forthcoming book, What If We Get It Right?
ABOUT UCSB ARTS & LECTURES
Founded in 1959, UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) is the largest and most influential arts and lectures organization between Los Angeles and San Francisco. A&L annually presents more than a hundred public events, from critically acclaimed concerts and dance performances by world-renowned artists to talks by groundbreaking authors and film series at UCSB and Santa Barbara-area venues. With a mission to “educate, entertain and inspire,” A&L also oversees an outreach program that brings visiting artists and speakers into local classrooms and other venues for master classes, open rehearsals, discussions and more, serving K-12 students, college students and the general public.
Justice For All Lead Sponsors: Marcy Carsey, Connie Frank & Evan Thompson, Eva & Yole Haller, Dick Wolf and Zegar Family Foundation
Earth, Air, Fire, Water Series Sponsors: Patricia & Paul Bragg Foundation, Audrey & Timothy O. Fisher, Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation and Sara Miller McCune
Special Thanks: The Santa Barbara Independent & Voice Magazine
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is presented by UCSB Arts & Lectures in association with Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Community Environmental Council, Explore Ecology, The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, Patagonia, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, UCSB Bren School, and UCSB Environmental Studies Program.
Tickets are $30 / $20 / FREE for UCSB students (Current student ID required)
For tickets or more information, call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535 or purchase online at www.ArtsAndLectures.UCSB.edu.
UCSB Arts & Lectures gratefully acknowledges our Community Partners the Natalie Orfalea Foundation & Lou Buglioli for their generous support of the 2023-2024 season.