How is a new U.S. administration approaching challenges around climate change and attendant issues such as diplomacy, national security, and a re-entry to the Paris Accords? Will new leadership at the top levels redial domestic and global approaches to global warming and climate crisis? Join us for a big-picture overview of current issues with Brian Ratcliffe, from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Change, where he is responsible for implementing U.S. international policy on climate change and representing the United States in international climate negotiations. Ratcliffe will be joined in discussion with Nora Apter, Climate Program Director for Oregon Environmental Council.

Brian Ratcliffe is a Presidential Management Fellow with the U.S. Department of State in the Office of Global Change, which is responsible for implementing U.S. international policy on climate change and representing the United States in international climate negotiations. Brian's work includes liaising with the office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. Prior to coming to the State Department, Brian worked as the Sustainable Recreation Program Lead at the USDA Forest Service. He holds a master's degree in Applied Ecology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), as well as a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Swarthmore College. Brian was born and raised in Salt Lake City, and now lives with his spouse in Arlington, VA. 

Nora Apter is the Climate Program Director for Oregon Environmental Council (OEC). Nora joined OEC in March 2020 after nearly eight years defending and expanding cornerstone environmental laws at the federal level serving as a Deputy Director of Federal Affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). In that capacity, Nora directed the development and implementation of federal legislative strategy on a broad portfolio of policy issues, including priority campaigns to protect public lands, wildlife, and oceans from climate-change causing resource extraction. She also gained significant experience building and managing diverse coalitions to advance policy priorities. Before joining NRDC, Nora worked as a legislative aide for U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon. Nora holds a B.A. International Affairs and Economics from Lewis & Clark College in Portland.

Copresented with the Oregon Environmental Council