Newswise — WASHINGTON (April 16, 2025)--This year’s Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22 with events throughout the United States and the world. This year’s events will focus on clean energy, the connection between climate and health, pollution including plastic pollution, the move to electric vehicles, sustainability and more.
The George Washington University has experts available to comment on themes and issues surrounding Earth Day 2025. To schedule an interview with an expert please contact GW Media Relations at [email protected].
Public Health
, is a senior research scientist and professorial lecturer in the department of environmental and occupational health at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health. He researches ambient air pollution, and projects he has led topics ranging from understanding the emission sources of pollution to assessing the health impacts experienced by the populations pollution impacts. A video of Gaige Kerr talking about the findings of a recent study on pollution and health can be found .
, an assistant research professor at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health is an expert on climate change, environmental occupational health and global environmental health.
Climate Change, Energy and Sustainability
, associate research professor, Sustainable Urban Planning Program and Director of the in the Environmental and Energy Management Institute at George Washington University. Jonassen has nearly 3 decades of experience in developing and applying climate downsizing techniques.
is the director of Strategic Initiatives and Professor at the GW School of Media and Public Affairs as well as the Executive Director of the GW Alliance for a Sustainable Future. An Emmy-award winning journalist, Sesno’s diverse journalism career spanning four decades includes more than two decades at CNN as a White House correspondent, anchor, Sunday talk show host, Washington Bureau Chief, and Special Correspondent.
, assistant professor of engineering management and systems engineering, is an expert in electric vehicles, innovation and technology policy. He’s interested in understanding the factors that shape technological change, with a particular focus on transitioning to more sustainable and energy-saving technologies. Helveston’s research on electric vehicles has examined the resale value of EVs, the mileage of EVs, and the incentives needed to get people to buy in. He has also published on international trade policies and their impact on scaling up low-carbon energy technologies.
, assistant professor of engineering management and systems engineering, studies the form and functions of interconnected infrastructure across water, food, and energy systems. Her research seeks to combine network models, socio-technical data, and ethical-epistemic analyses to create a more sustainable and secure environment. Grady’s areas of expertise also include adaptation to climate change, hydropower and critical infrastructure.
is a research professor of international affairs at GW and the director of research at . Orttung is leading two National Science Foundation grants focused on promoting urban sustainability in the Arctic and is serving as the editor of the forthcoming Sustaining Russia’s Arctic Cities.
, professor of geography, is an expert on urban sustainability, sustainability and sustainable development, environmental issues in cities, and cities and immigration. She can also discuss the impact of climate change and natural disasters on communities and the social, economic and political forces that mediate or exacerbate these natural hazards.
, professor of engineering management and systems engineering, is the director of the GW Environmental & Energy Management Institute. His expertise includes all aspects of air quality management, including greenhouse gas management and implications for global climate change mitigation and adaptation. He can also speak to the impacts of drought conditions, especially in the U.S. southwest.
Business
is the Director of the Institute for Corporate Responsibility; Research Professor, Strategic Management and Public Policy; and Associate Faculty at the School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University. He manages the administrative, research and extracurricular activities of ICR. Forrer conducts research and teaches courses on corporate social responsibility, sustainable supply chains, impact investing, business and peace, ESG, circular business models, and public-private partnerships. He is faculty advisor for two GW student groups – the Socially Responsibility Investment Fund and Compass: An Impact Investment Advisory.
Law
, assistant dean for environmental law studies at the GW Law School. Abate has taught domestic and international environmental law for almost 30 years at seven U.S. law schools and has delivered lectures in over 25 countries. His areas of expertise include climate justice litigation with special emphasis on protection of youth, Indigenous communities, and other marginalized populations. He also is an expert on. Abate served as the inaugural Rechnitz Family and Urban Coast Institute Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy at Monmouth University as well as the Director of the Institute for Global Understanding. Abate has published six books and about 40 law journal articles and book chapters with recent emphasis on climate change law and justice.
, the J.B. and Maurice C Shapiro Professor of Environmental Law at GW is a nationally and internationally recognized expert on environmental, natural resources, and administrative law issues. Glicksman’s areas of expertise include environmental and natural resources law, along with others. Glicksman has consulted on various environmental and natural resources law issues, including work for the Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Glicksman has published and been published in numerous publications, including his most recent highlight in The Green Clash Between Renewables and Conservations.
; Glen Earl Weston research professor at the GW Law School. Hammond is a nationally recognized expert in energy, environmental and administrative law. Prior to teaching, Hammond was an environmental engineer bringing fluency between the intersection of law, science and policy. Hammond has held a presidential appointment at the Department of Energy, where serving as Deputy General Counsel for Litigation, Regulation and Enforcement as well as Deputy General Counsel for Environment and Litigation. Hammond’s publications include legal analyses of CWA issues and peer-reviewed hydrological studies.
RSS