Stephanie Thomas will open with a survey of global cooling and warming past and present, the driving force of greenhouse gases and other challenges for life on Earth. She will offer perspectives for moving from blame toward action. Thomas will speak on green architecture, local trading, urban agriculture, wealth addiction, low-carbon transit and human-powered neighborhoods.

Thomas is a geologist and paleoclimatologist who's experienced in reconstructing ancient environment and climate. After working in the energy industry, she now focuses on environmental advocacy and developing community resilience.