Through its office in Washington, DC, Duke University actively engages with policymakers, legislators, and NGOs to address climate adaptation and mitigation. In partnership with Duke Government Relations, Duke State Relations and Duke Health Government Relations, Duke in DC hosted the Building Extreme Weather Resiliency in North Carolina dinner on March 20, 2024, featuring a panel of experts who discussed grassroots resilience efforts, statewide planning, hospital emergency management, and Duke’s Climate Commitment, offering insights into strengthening resilience across North Carolina and beyond. The conversation focused on how policymakers, businesses, and the public can enhance community resilience to climate change, and was attended by Rep. Valerie Foushee (NC-04) and representatives from the offices of Sen. Thom Tillis (NC), Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Rep. Greg Murphy (NC-03), and Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-09).
The panel, moderated by Duke’s Vice President and Vice Provost for Climate and Sustainability Toddi Steelman, included experts Niroj Aryal from NC A&T University, Avery Davis Lamb from Creation Justice Ministries, Andrea Webster from the NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency, and Jason Zivica from Duke University Hospital.
Duke in DC’s Beyond Talking Points series also featured a discussion on April 16, 2024, about climate financing and federal incentives following the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Panelists, including Duke experts Jackson Ewing, Judy Ledlee, and Lee Reiners, and moderator, Interim Stanback Dean of the Nicholas School of the Environment Lori Bennear, explored climate finance, public and private sector efforts, and the importance of policy-driven investment. The event provided recommendations to congressional staff on mobilizing IRA resources for climate resilience.