Unifying for the Planet

The annual Climate Forward conference, hosted in partnership with the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, brings together leaders from across the political spectrum to explore nonpartisan solutions to the challenges associated with our changing climate.

 

Climate Forward 2026

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 12-5 p.m.

Town & Gown Ballroom, USC main campus (665 W. Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089)

 

Opening Plenary

Moderator Joe Árvai, Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability

Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

 

Can States and Cities Lead on Climate?

Moderator Martha Escutia, Former California State Senator and Assemblymember

Alex Nieves, Climate Reporter, POLITICO

Mary Nichols, Attorney and Former Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency

Nancy Sutley, Deputy Mayor and Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Los Angeles

 

Is There a Republican Way Forward?

Moderator Bob Shrum, Director, USC Center for the Political Future

Claudine Schneider, Former U.S. Representative (R-Rhode Island)

Democrat Val Demings and Republican Adam Kinzinger sit on a stage with moderator Bob Shrum. Kinzinger speaks while holding his hands in front of him as Demings and Shrum listen.

Climate Forward 2026

Watch panel recordings from Climate Forward 2026.

Part 1: Opening Plenary with Former EPA Administrator Regan

USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai in conversation with Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. They discussed the role of the EPA, climate change and environmental justice in the Trump administration, and how politics impact climate action.

Part 2: Can States And Cities Lead On Climate?

California Senator Martha Escutia in conversation with political and media experts Mary Nichols, Alex Nieves, and Nancy Sutley on the role of states and cities as leaders in climate change. They discussed the challenges to climate policy under the Trump Administration and California’s role as a leader in climate change.

Part 3: Is There A Republican Way Forward?

CPF Director Bob Shrum in conversation with former U.S. Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI) on climate policy under the Trump administration and how Democrats and Republicans can cooperate on climate change issues.

Climate Forward 2026 was co-hosted by the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment & Sustainability and the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, and generously sponsored by Ballmer Group and Mr. Tim Marshall.