Boston Public Library Announces 2023 Lowell Lecture Series: You are Here: Climate Change and What’s Next

BPL Speaker Series offers varied perspectives and expertise on climate change

BOSTON, MA - February 9, 2023 - The Boston Public Library today announced the theme for the 2023 Lowell Lecture Series: “You are Here: Climate Change and What's Next.”  

This year’s lineup brings together national and international environmental experts with wide-ranging backgrounds to provide a varied and comprehensive look at climate change, offering listeners real-world solutions.  

Each discussion will be moderated by BPL President David Leonard, followed by an audience Q&A session.  

Three of the four events will be hybrid – in-person in the Abbey Room at the Central Library in Copley Square, and live-streamed via Zoom Webinar. One event will be fully virtual. Patrons can register to attend in person or via Zoom at bpl.org/events 

The goal of the Lowell Lecture Series at the BPL is to provide free and accessible programming to the citizens of Boston. It is sponsored by the Lowell Institute and is produced in partnership with the GBH Forum Network. 

Speaker Schedule: 

March 16, 2023: Gina McCarthy 

The first-ever White House National Climate Advisor; former EPA Administrator; Harvard professor; and environmental thought leader, Gina McCarthy is one of the nation’s most respected voices on climate change, the environment, and public health. As head of the Climate Policy Office under President Biden, McCarthy’s leadership led to the most aggressive action on climate in U.S. history, creating new jobs and unprecedented clean energy innovation and investments across the country.  

Learn more and register here

April 4, 2023: Alexandra Cousteau [virtual only] 

As the daughter of Jacques Cousteau, Alexandra builds upon more than 60 years of global name recognition to engage people who expect to hear credible environmental information from the third generation of this pioneering family of explorers. While Alexandra continues to find inspiration in her family legacy, she has since become a globally recognized advocate on ocean issues in her own right. She has led countless expeditions to better understand the issues facing our oceans and explore our connection to freshwater resources that are so critical to the health and prosperity of human communities. 

Learn more and register here

May 11, 2023: Wanjiku “Wawa” Gatheru 

Wawa Gatheru is a climate justice storyteller motivated to uplift the voices of those most adversely impacted by the climate crisis. She has become the voice of her generation, using the power of social media to share how communities of color and women have been adversely affected by climate change and the racist roots of the environmental movement. 

Learn more and register here

June 8, 2023: Steve Curwood  

Steve Curwood is the executive producer and host of “Living on Earth.” He created the first pilot of “Living on Earth” in 1990 and the show has run continuously since April 1991. “Living on Earth” is currently aired on more than 250 National Public Radio/Public Radio International affiliates and XM/Sirius Satellite Radio. 

Learn more and register here

To view BPL’s full list of upcoming events visit bpl.org/events, and to learn more about the BPL’s available resources and services visit bpl.org 

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About the LOWELL LECTURE SERIES   

Since its founding in 1836, the Lowell Institute has sponsored free public lectures and other educational programs throughout the Boston area. The Lowell Institute was conceived of and funded by Boston businessman John Lowell, Jr., who upon his death left a substantial portion of his estate to a charitable trust dedicated to “the maintenance and support of public lectures for the promotion of moral and intellectual and physical instruction or education of the citizens of said city of Boston.” Lectures were to be free and open to all citizens regardless of gender or race.
 

About the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY       

Established in 1848, the Boston Public Library is a pioneer of public library service in America. It was the first large, free municipal library in the United States; the first public library to lend books; the first to have a branch library; and the first to have a children’s room.    

The Boston Public Library of today is a robust system that includes the Central Library in Copley Square, 25 neighborhood branches, the Norman B. Leventhal Map and Education Center, the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center, and an archival center, offering public access to world-class special collections of rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and prints, along with rich digital content and online services.    

The Boston Public Library serves nearly 4 million visitors per year and millions more online. All of its programs and exhibitions are free to all and open to the public.    

The Boston Public Library is a department of the City of Boston, under the leadership of Mayor Michelle Wu. To learn more, visit bpl.org.