SEATTLE, Wash. — The Seattle Times LiveWire will present “Endangered Economy: The high cost of climate change” Tuesday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Kane Hall on the University of Washington campus. The Seattle Times LiveWire event series features meaningful discussions about vital issues impacting our region and its people.

Seattle Times environmental reporter Lynda Mapes will moderate a forum about climate change's impact on our local economy. A panel of local and national experts will discuss how to weather the storm and protect a sustainable future as climate change threatens Pacific Northwest marine life, agriculture, forestry and the billion dollar industries that depend on their growth. Panelists include:

Joe Casola, PhD
Deputy Director of the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group, Casola has specialized in climate science and policy for more than 15 years. He served as Program Director for Science and Impacts at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions in Washington, D.C.

Clinton Moloney
Managing Director and the Sustainability Advisory Leader for PwC in the United States, Moloney frames and mobilizes sustainability-driven business transformation for clients across the U.S., U.K., Australia and Southeast Asia.

Spencer Reeder
Senior Program Officer of Vulcan, Reeder leads climate and energy work within the philanthropic group, including the Smart City Challenge program with the US DOT. He served as a climate policy strategist within Washington Governor Gregoire’s administration.

Fawn Sharp
Sharp is President of the Quinault Indian Nation and the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, and Vice President for the National Congress of American Indians. She served on Governor Jay Inslee's Climate Emissions Reduction Taskforce (CERT).

Mike Gempler
Executive Director of the Washington Growers League, Gempler is a board member and past president of the National Council of Agricultural Employers, past treasurer of the Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust and a former member of the Food Alliance Stewardship Board.

Lynda Mapes
Mapes is the environmental reporter for The Seattle Times and the author of four books, including “Elwha: A River Reborn” and “Witness Tree,” which reveals what a single 100-year old oak tells us about climate change.

LiveWire is produced by The Seattle Times. Microsoft has been the series’ presenting sponsor since its inception. The University of Washington is the principal sponsor. Additional event-specific sponsorships are available. For information, contact Seattle Times Director of Strategic Partnerships Suzanne Canino at 206.652.6374 or scanino@seattletimes.com.

Tickets are $15. Register at livewire.seattletimes.com.

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