2025 SMART Talks on Climate Change

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 to Saturday, August 9, 2025
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About the Program

From devastating natural disasters to a global pandemic, the effects of climate change have become increasingly pressing, extreme, and far-reaching than ever before. The 2025 SMART Talks on Climate Change will continue to collaborate with the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture (YCNCC) to offer emerging leaders an opportunity to converse with top scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers on critical issues facing our planet.

Program Schedule

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*The following are all China Standard Times

July 29 (Tuesday)
9:00-10:30 am
Writing on Climate Change 1

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Aaron Reiss '10
Freelance Researcher, Journalist, and Cartographer

 

July 31 (Thursday)
9:00-10:30 am
Enhanced Rock Weathering: A Scalable Natural Solution for Capturing Carbon

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Fengchao Sun
Associate Research Scientist, Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Yale University

 

8:00-9:30 pm
Restoring Carbon and Biodiversity in Soils for a Sustainable Future

1

Shangshi Liu
Postdoctoral Fellow, Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Yale University

 

August 1 (Friday)
9:00-10:30 am
Forest Policy and Remote Sensing

1

Sarah Castle
Postdoctoral Associate, Yale School of the Environment

 

8:00-9:30 pm
Carbon Capture and Utilization

1

Abhishek Kumar
Postdoctoral Associate, Hazari Group, Yale University

 

August 2 (Saturday)
9:00-10:30 am
Writing About the Environment

1

Fred Strebeigh ’74
Senior Lecturer Emeritus in English and in Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University

 

August 5 (Tuesday)
9:00-10:30 am
The Role of Tropical Forests in the Global Carbon Cycle

1

Michelle Wong
Assistant Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University

 

8:00-9:30 pm
A Sustainable Approach to PFAS in Agriculture: Remediation Supported by the Carbon Market 

1

Jake Thompson
Postdoctoral Researcher, Professor Noah Planavsky's Lab, Yale University

 

August 6 or 7 (Wednesday or Thursday)
The Burning Earth

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Sunil Amrith
Renu and Anand Dhawan Professor of History, Yale University
Professor, Yale School of the Environment

*This event will take place at Yale Center Beijing and will be accessible both in person and online. The exact date is to be determined.

 

August 8 (Friday)
9:00-10:30 am
A Sustainable Approach to PFAS in Agriculture: Remediation Supported by the Carbon Market 

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Mariela Garcia Arredondo
Postdoctoral Scientist, Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, Yale University

 

8:00-9:30 pm
Fires and Carbon in Ecosystem Structure and Function

1

Juliana Teixeira
Postdoctoral Associate and Fellow, Staver Lab of Savanna Ecology, Yale University

 

 

August 9 (Saturday)
9:00-10:30 am
Writing on Climate Change 2

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Aaron Reiss ’10
Freelance Researcher, Journalist, and Cartographer

 *The schedule is subject to change.

 

Program Information

01 Time and Date

China Standard Time:
July 29, July 31, August 1, August 2, August 5, August 6 or 7, August 8, August 9, 2025
9:00-10:30 am OR 8:00-9:30 pm

02 Language

English

03 Program Information

  • 12 lecture and discussion sessions;
  • Opportunity to participate in a writing competition co-hosted by Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture and Yale Center Beijing;
  • Winning entries will be published on Yale website and social media platforms;
  • Free access to videos of selected sessions from past programs, including sessions by William Nordhaus, Nobel Laureate in Economics and Sterling Professor of Economics at Yale, Yale Law School professors, other Yale faculty members;
  • Opportunity to receive financial support for the program fees;
  • A certificate of completion for those who attend all sessions. 

04 How to Participate

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*Please download and install the Zoom Application beforehand. Yale Center Beijing’s staff will contact confirmed participants for further testing in advance of the program to ensure a pleasant experience.

05 Requirements

  • Recommendation: 16 years old or older;
  • English language proficiency for meaningful participation during discussions;
  • One “fast take” response about why this program interests you (in English).

* Registration is subject to approval.

06 Fee

  • World Environment Day Special Discount (by June 8): RMB 4,899
  • First 10 Early Birds (first 10 registrants after June 8): RMB 4,999
  • 6·18 Special Price (by June 18): RMB 4,999.9
  • Participants of past Yale Center Beijing programs, those who have paid in advance for the 'For Humanity' Lecture Series, and Group Registrations (at least three persons) Special Discount: RMB 5,299 per person
  • Standard Ticket: RMB 8,999

*Financial support (which helps to defray the participant’s fee) is available to a limited number of outstanding participants who register for this program. If you wish to apply for financial support, indicate what makes you an ideal recipient for the support? (For example, highlight your qualifications, achievements, leadership experience, community involvement, proven dedication to your interest, etc.)

*The registration fee for the event is non-refundable. Unless due to a force majeure reason, Yale Center Beijing will not refund any part of the registration fee if a participant fails to attend the event.

07 Contact

Please send an email to yalecenterbeijing@yale.edu, or reach out to the Yale Center Beijing Team for inquiries:
WeChat ID: Yalecenterbeijing
Cellphone: +86 13810559940
(Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 18:00)

To apply, scan the QR code below, or click HERE.

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