Climate Action
Be part of an immersive journey exploring the pivotal role of CO₂ in climate change, and get an exclusive first look at the upcoming Keep it CO₂OL exhibition launching next year.
Join us on December 11 for Earth Out of Balance, a special preview event celebrating the Keep it CO₂OL exhibition, winner of the 2023 SFNS Agora award. This event explores the intricate role of CO₂ in climate change, while also examining the future of climate action and the vital role museums play in raising awareness, fostering critical thinking, and sparking meaningful dialogue.
A multidisciplinary panel of experts from climate science, art curation, and science communication will share innovations for reducing emissions and explore the promises and limitations of carbon capture technologies. We’ll also uncover how museums can become powerful spaces for education, engagement, and collaboration—connecting researchers, professionals, and the public to inspire meaningful action.
This intimate and inspiring experience is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of CO₂’s role in climate change, from its sources and impacts to innovative strategies for creating a sustainable future. Engage with the exhibition preview, a panel discussion, and a community of experts dedicated to driving solutions.
Program
- 9:30am – Doors open
- 9:45am – Guided Meditation "Earth out of Balance" by Joseph Gabriel Ilustrisimo
- 10:05am – Opening words
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10:10am – Presentations:
Prof. Dr. Timothy Eglington (ETH Zurich, Earth and Planetary Sciences)
Katrin Sievert (Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, CDR Researcher)
Dr. Ulrike Kastrup (Museum Director, focusTerra ETH Zurich)
- 10:30am – Panel discussion
- 11:10am – Brunch & Networking
- 12:30pm – Doors close
iCal / Outlook
Event start time
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San Francisco
9:30AM
Speakers
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Bio
Erica Barrueto
Vice President, LearningErica Barrueto is passionate about the role that museums and science centers play in inspiring conversations around complex and compelling issues. Making the complex digestible (and fun!) and providing forums for connection. She is currently the Vice President of Learning at The Tech Interactive, inspiring the innovator in everyone and looking for ways to expand the reach of STEM programs through impactful partnerships.
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Bio
Katrin Sievert
PhD Researcher, Stanford/ETH ZurichKatrin Sievert is a research associate and PhD candidate in the Climate Finance and Policy Group at ETH Zurich and a visiting researcher in the Environmental Assessment and Optimization Group at the Doerr School of Sustainability and the Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University. Her research focuses on the techno-economics of carbon dioxide removal (CDR), carbon capture and storage (CCS), and synthetic fuels.
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Bio
Kerstin Bircher
Science Communicator at ETH Zurich, focusTerraKerstin Bircher is a science communication expert and museum pedagogue at focusTerra, the Earth & Science Discovery Center of ETH Zurich. She uses her Master’s degree in Earth Sciences and a geography teaching degree to combine scientific knowledge with educational skills for public outreach. Over her ten years at focusTerra, she has developed expertise in exhibition development, creating educational materials and museum operations – all of which are critical for realizing an exhibition such as KEEP IT CO2OL.
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Bio
Prof. Dr. Timothy Ian Eglinton
Professor, ETH ZurichProf. Dr. Timothy Eglinton FRS is Professor of Biogeoscience within the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at ETH Zürich. Eglinton obtained a BSc in Environmental Science at the Plymouth Polytechnic, and MSc and PhD in Organic Geochemistry at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Following postdoctoral research positions at Delft Technical University (Netherlands) and Oslo University (Norway), he joined Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 1989. He was a member of the Scientific Staff there until 2010, when he joined ETH.
Eglinton’s research program is centered on tracing the origin, cycling and legacy of biospheric carbon, and to understand the role of organic matter production, remineralization, transport and burial as a component of the global carbon cycle. He focusses on processes on the continents and in the oceans, as well as the transfer of carbon between these systems. He has pioneered radiocarbon measurements at the molecular level as a tool to examine carbon cycle processes. More information is available at http://www.biogeoscience.ethz.ch/
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Bio
Dr. Ulrike Kastrup
Director focusTerra, ETH ZurichDr Ulrike Kastrup has been director of focusTerra since 2009. After completing her doctorate in geophysics at ETH Zurich on earthquakes, Ulrike turned her attention to the many facets of natural hazards.
She has worked at the United Nations University on flood management, at RMIT on wild and bush fires and as a Corporate Risk Manager at the Swiss Federal Railways. The aim of her work has been to promote knowledge transfer between science, society and decision-makers through targeted communication.
Today, Ulrike’s work continues to focus on communicating and empowering people to better understand and act responsibly in their natural and man-made environment. At focusTerra, she is dedicated to communicating scientific knowledge with a strong focus on its social relevance. Through exhibitions and a variety of activities, she and her team succeed in inspiring a broad and diverse audience. Ulrike has also been a mentor for female PhD students at ETH in the field of outreach and communication to foster equality.
Ulrike served on the scientific committee of the European Environment Agency EEA and Ecsite Board (the European Network of Science Centres and Museums). From 2021-23 she has been the Vice-President of Ecsite.
Guided Meditation "Earth out of Balance" by Joseph Gabriel Ilustrisimo
Joseph Gabriel Ilustrisimo is a personal trainer, yoga teacher, sound healer, and breathwork practitioner. Although he does a few things, the best way to describe his work is that he is an emotional support human willing to do whatever I can to serve and support my clients and to give people tools to actualize their dreams. His goal is to help you be fit for life through helping you achieve peak performance and holistic growth.
Session Detail
10-15 minutes of sound meditation as people arrive. Utilizing crystal bowls to create musical chords that will ground the body and mind of everyone in the room. Utilizing the universal sound of the gong to relax deeper.
Breathwork Session
Learn breathwork exercises to apply to everyday life, which will include ancient pranayama techniques from yoga and well-researched techniques from the west to apply utilize as a tool for peace and performance. Our guided meditation session will consist of breathing your heart and brain into coherence and breath holds that will help you better handle stress & carbon dioxide in the body and to have an elevated experience. The intention of our breathwork practice is to help you find peace in the body and mind, but also have extreme focus for the day ahead.
Leave this session with new tools to implement in your life, while also having resources to integrate breathwork into your everyday routine.
Impressions
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![Two women seated on a stage in modern black chairs, engaging in a panel discussion or dialogue. One woman, dressed in a blue blouse and black jeans, listens attentively with a relaxed posture, while the other, wearing a black top, orange pants, and red shoes, speaks into a microphone. Between them is a small white table adorned with a floral arrangement and a glass of water. The background features a minimalist design with green foliage, creating a calm and inviting atmosphere. Audience members' heads are visible in the foreground, indicating an engaged audience.]()
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![A hybrid panel discussion event featuring a live audience and virtual participants displayed on a large screen. The stage includes two women seated on modern black chairs, engaged in conversation, while the screen behind them shows three remote speakers in a video call, each in different settings. The audience, seated in white chairs, watches attentively in a spacious, well-lit room with high ceilings, modern lighting fixtures, and greenery, creating a contemporary and professional atmosphere. The setup highlights the integration of in-person and virtual collaboration.]()
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![A networking event in a bright, spacious venue featuring attendees engaged in conversations. The foreground showcases a buffet table with a variety of foods, including croissants, bread, fruits, and spreads, adding a welcoming touch. In the background, participants interact near art or informational displays, with a large screen visible against the far wall. The high ceilings, modern lighting fixtures, and large windows create an open and contemporary atmosphere, blending professional and casual elements for a vibrant social gathering.]()
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![A creative and interactive space within a modern venue, featuring attendees engaging with installations and each other. In the foreground, a person walks past holding a camera or device, while others are seen conversing and exploring. One man is seated on the floor near a sculptural or artistic piece, creating a contemplative moment. The room includes modular wooden tables and bright lighting from large windows, with a minimalist and industrial design that emphasizes openness and collaboration. The setting conveys a mix of art, innovation, and social interaction.]()
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![A man leading a guided meditation session, seated with his eyes closed and holding a microphone. He gestures gently with one hand, exuding calm and focus. Dressed in a patterned white sweater and camouflage pants, he creates a relaxed and grounded atmosphere. The background features a minimalist setup with greenery and a modern black chair, complementing the serene and mindful environment of the event.]()
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![An audience seated in a conference or seminar setting, participating in a guided meditation session. The focus is on a woman in a light blue sweater and glasses, sitting in the center, appearing calm and reflective. Other attendees, both in focus and blurred in the foreground and background, include men and women of various ages, many with eyes closed or serene expressions. A camera on a tripod and an]()
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![A serene arctic landscape featuring two penguins standing on a floating ice sheet in calm waters. The background showcases vast ice formations and a pale, pastel-colored sky, creating a tranquil and minimalist atmosphere. The soft reflections of the penguins and ice in the water add to the peaceful ambiance, highlighting the beauty and stillness of this polar environment.]()
Earth Out of Balance | Replay
