March 12–15, 2025

Climate change has dramatic implications for the world's water resources. Communities worldwide face worsening droughts, more frequent flooding, and rising sea levels. Warmer waters harm aquatic ecosystems and damage fisheries, while more than half the world's population faces water security challenges. Loyola University Chicago's 2025 Climate Change Conference will explore strategies for developing just solutions to the emerging water crisis. Speakers will discuss how people are working to protect water resources on global, regional, and local levels. The event will also provide opportunities for participants to become part of the solution and positively impact people and the planet.  

Wednesday, March 12

Film Screening and Discussion: We Are Tuvalu  

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Damen Cinema, Damen Student Center

We Are Tuvalu is a stunning film that offers viewers an opportunity to experience life in one of the world's most remote countries that is dealing with the effects of climate impact. Loyola School of Communications documentary professor John Goheen traveled to the island nation with a team of Loyola students and alumni. The team created the film in partnership with a group of Tuvalu young people who learned to operate video equipment and capture their stories. Following the film screening, Goheen and students who worked on the film will lead a question-and-answer session with the audience.  

Thursday, March 13

Campus Sustainability Tour  

3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., School of Environmental Sustainability Atrium  

Loyola University Chicago is committed to reducing our campuses’ environmental footprint. The University recently achieved carbon neutrality and is making plans to completely decarbonize. Join a tour with staff from the Office of Sustainability to explore how Loyola is putting our commitment to the environment into practice in our facilities and operations.  

Keynote Presentation and Reception

6 p.m. – 8 p.m., Sister Jean Multipurpose Room, Damen Student Center

Peter Gleick, PhD, will deliver the keynote address following an opening musical performance by the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. Glieck is a leading scientist, innovator, and communicator on water and climate issues. He co-founded the Pacific Institute in Oakland, California in 1987, one of the most innovative, independent non-governmental research centers, creating and advancing solutions to the world’s most pressing water challenges. He is currently president-emeritus and senior fellow at the Institute.  

Friday, March 14  

Panel Discussions  

On Friday, panel discussions will explore global, regional, and local approaches to protecting water resources in the face of climate change. The interdisciplinary panels will include speakers with expertise in climate science, ecology, environmental policy, and environmental justice.  

Panel 1: Global Perspectives on Climate and Water   
9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Sister Jean Multipurpose Room North, Damen Student Center

Panelists will discuss how climate change impacts global water systems, adaptation strategies, and the management of water resources across national boundaries. 

Panel 2: Protecting Great Lakes Water Resources  
11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Sister Jean Multipurpose Room North, Damen Student Center

This panel will explore how climate change impacts the Great Lakes and how people can develop equitable strategies for conserving the region's natural resources.

Panel 3: Local Solutions to Water Challenges 
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Sister Jean Multipurpose Room North, Damen Student Center

Presenters will explore how local organizations are addressing water challenges in the Chicago region. Topics will include the use of green infrastructure for stormwater management, water infrastructure, and climate resilience.

Exhibit Hall 

10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sister Jean Multipurpose Room South, Damen Student Center

The exhibit hall offers an opportunity for conference participants to interact with representatives of organizations focused on climate change, environmental sustainability, and water issues. Student organizations, community groups, nonprofits, and businesses that do work in these areas are welcome to exhibit at the conference. Exhibitor applications are due February 24, 2025. Request a table in the exhibit hall here. 

Climate Emotions Art Exhibition 

9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Outside the Sister Jean Multipurpose Room, Damen Student Center 

An art exhibition will explore climate anxiety and climate hope. Organized by students in the Solutions to Environmental Problems (STEP) course, the exhibition invites Loyola students to express their fears and hopes about climate change through art. Organizers will accept submissions through March 1, 2025. Click here to learn more and submit a piece of art.  

Poster Session and Reception 

3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sister Jean Multipurpose Room South, Damen Student Center 

The poster session provides an opportunity for researchers to share work on topics related to environmental sustainability, climate change, water resources, and water security. The conference committee seeks submissions from faculty, staff, students, and researchers. Please note that presenters are responsible for printing and bringing their own posters, and Loyola does not sponsor international travel for this event. Submissions are due February 9, and notifications of poster acceptance will go out on February 14. Learn more and submit a poster here.  

Saturday, March 15 

Panel Discussion and Reception: Celebrating Laudato Si’ at Ten 

4 p.m. – 7 p.m., McCormick Lounge, Coffey Hall   

May 2025 marks the ten-year anniversary of Laudato ‘Si, Pope Francis’s encyclical calling on people to "care for our common home.” Hosted by Loyola’s Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, this panel discussion will explore how institutions and faith communities have taken up this call, working to protect the health of the natural world and improve the wellbeing of society’s most vulnerable. There will be a reception with refreshments following the presentation and audience Q&A.  

Musical Performance: Missa Laudato Si’  

7:30 p.m., Jo Ann Rooney Hall, Mundelein Center for Fine and Performing Arts   

Join Loyola’s Department of Fine and Performing arts for the world premiere performance of musical work performed by Ignatian Voices, University Chorale, and University signers with guests from the EcoVoice Project. Missa Laudato Si is a new musical work written by Dongryul Lee in the spirit of Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, which calls on humanity to urgently address the climate crisis. In the form of a Mass, Missa Laudato Si’ contemplates climate change and caring for the earth by intertwining the Latin Mass text with prayers, poems, and texts about contaminated soil and water, and all the threatened creatures living under the climate and plastic crises, including “the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest.” A separate ticket is required for this performance. Purchase tickets here.