SCIENCE AT NIGHT: The Department of Biology at Western Connecticut State University will present a free “Science at Night” virtual talk with climate scientist Tom DiLiberto from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. DiLiberto, who specializes in breaking down complex concepts for non-scientists to understand, will discuss “Demystifying Climate Change.” The public is invited to log in to the talk. To register, visit www.wcsu.edu/biology/demystifying-climate-change/ in advance of the event to receive a link.

A climate scientist and public affairs specialist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Communications, DiLiberto also is the star and creator of NOAA’s first cartoon production, “Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth,” a five-part series designed for students in the fourth through sixth grades. He works on strategic communications, especially related to climate science, and is a well-regarded public speaker on weather and climate. His scientific area of expertise is on El Niño and La Niña, and he previously served as the climate scientist for NOAA’s Climate.gov.

In addition to his work at NOAA, DiLiberto is the lead for the Department of State’s U.S. Center at the United Nations climate change conference COP29, currently taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan. He previously served as emcee of the U.S. Center at COP21 — where the Paris Agreement was forged — and as lead at COP22, COP26, COP27 and COP28. As lead and emcee, he has helped organize and run the U.S. government’s public outreach space during the negotiations.

The Dec. 2 Climate 101 talk with DiLiberto hosted by WestConn will dispel myths, answer questions, and share best practices and solutions for a changing climate that can help build resilient communities. It is funded by an NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-Wet)  grant.

For more information, contact Biology Department Chair Dr. Theodora Pinou at pinout@wcsu.educreate new email