Forecast: Funny with a Chance of Solutions
What do you get when you cross a climate comedian with a climate simulator? A keynote that’s equal parts inspiring, eye-opening, and fun.
In this unforgettable session, Esteban Gast—educator, climate communicator, and self-described “comedian for the planet”—will kick things off with a creative take on how humor can connect us, shift perspectives, and create space for climate hope. Through storytelling and stand-up, Esteban reminds us that building a better future isn’t just possible—it can also be joyful.
Then, Krystal Noiseux from the MIT Climate Pathways Project will take us on an interactive journey through the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator, a powerful tool co-developed by Climate Interactive and the MIT Sloan School of Management. Together, we’ll explore what real, science-based climate solutions can look like, test out different strategies, and collectively imagine a healthier, more resilient future for all.
Esteban Gast
Esteban Gast is Colombian, was raised in Puerto Rico and Illinois, and currently lives in Los Angeles. His work has been called “irreverent but aspirational” by Variety. He co-hosts Identity at Play, a Spotify Original podcast, and hosts Comedians Conquering Climate Change. He hosted Hyundai Highways, a travel series using only an electric car, and was the star of Jungletown, a 10-episode TV show airing on VICELAND about his time running an off-the-grid eco-community.
Esteban is the co-writer of the book and lyrics for Teacher Of The Year, a comedy musical inspired by his time teaching. The musical was most recently a finalist for the O'Neil and was selected for YALL Fest. He is also the co-writer of Thena, a feature film produced by the creative team from 13 Reasons Why. He travels as a standup comedian, winning Denver's Rise Comedy Festival and being chosen as "Best of the Fest" for the Burbank Comedy Festival. He is currently the Comedian-in-Residence at Generation180 where he helped build the Climate Comedy Cohort and the Climate Cultura programs. His work has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, NPR's Science Friday, and ABC's Nightline.
Krystal Noiseux
Krystal Noiseux is Senior Associate Director of the MIT Climate Pathways Project, where her team uses interactive simulations to advance the adoption of evidence-based climate policy through leaders in the public and private sector. Prior to MIT, Krystal worked in environmental affairs for state government and in the Harvard University Office for Sustainability. She has served on the boards of the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association and Rhode Island Food Policy Council, and currently serves on the board of the MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative. Krystal holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Juniata College, an M.S. in the Human Dimensions of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida, and trained as a science educator at Providence College. She resides in Washington, D.C.
The En-ROADS Climate Workshop is an interactive group experience that uses the En-ROADS climate solutions simulator—a free, easy-to-use, system dynamics model co-developed by Climate Interactive and the MIT Sloan School of Management. En-ROADS gives users the opportunity to test out different climate change solutions, en route to creating a future that limits global warming to well below 2°C from pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement. In this interactive session, you will get a tour of the En-ROADS simulator, work together to test out your own solutions, build a collective scenario of success, and explore the future you’ve created. The experience delivers insights into policies and actions that can meet climate goals. To-date, more than 335,000 people in 164 countries have experienced En-ROADS, including 20,000+ leaders in government, business, and civil society through the MIT Climate Pathways Project.
From Noise to Narrative: Stories That Move People
At a time when environmental protections are being rolled back and important research is being defunded, it’s more critical than ever that our messages cut through the noise and engage our audiences. Stories have always had that power, and in his keynote speech, Andy Goodman will identify the kinds of stories you should be telling now and will offer guidelines on the best way to tell those stories.
Andy Goodman
Andy Goodman is the founder and Director Emeritus of The Goodman Center, which is internationally known for its work in storytelling. Along with the book Storytelling as Best Practice, Andy is author of Why Bad Ads Happen to Good Causes and Why Bad Presentations Happen to Good Causes. He also created the monthly journal, free-range thinking, which shares best practices in the field of public interest communications.
Andy has led over 500 trainings in storytelling for clients including CARE, The Nature Conservancy, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, NOAA, the San Diego Zoo, MIT, Princeton, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, GE, Bank of America, and many others.
He has designed communications curriculum for the College for Social Innovation in Boston as well as for the African Leadership University in Mauritius. Andy currently serves as a Senior Fellow for Climate Central, a nonprofit which develops communications tools that raise awareness of climate change; and as a Senior Communications Advisor for the Academy for Teachers, which supports new teachers in the New York metropolitan area.
For more information about his work, please visit www.thegoodmancenter.com
National Geographic: Education at the Edge of Exploration
What happens when exploration meets education? Join National Geographic Society’s Deputy to the Chief Education Officer Fay Gore—an educator, leader, and champion for transformational learning—as she sets the stage for a powerful keynote session on the role of storytelling, science, and real-world experience in inspiring the next generation.
Following a short opening address, Fay will moderate a conversation with three National Geographic Explorers whose work is reshaping how we understand and care for the planet. Through their stories—ranging from biodiversity and community resilience to cultural heritage—you’ll gain insights into how curiosity-driven discovery can inform our work, empower youth, and drive positive change in a rapidly shifting world.
Fay Gore
Fay Gore is the Deputy to the Chief Education Officer and Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Grants, and Educator Initiatives at the National Geographic Society. With over 27 years as an educator, Fay is a seasoned educational and non-profit leader dedicated to empowering educators and learners of all ages with the knowledge and skills to care for and protect our world.
In her current role, Fay serves as a strategic thought partner to the Chief Education Officer. She leads the Education Division’s portfolio of educator-focused initiatives, including grant making, immersive learning experiences for teachers and learners, and fostering strategic collaborations that extend the work of scientists, educators, and storytellers into classrooms and communities globally.
Before joining the Society in 2018, Fay held several roles, including Section Chief for K–12 Social Studies at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and worked as an independent education consultant, developing high-quality curriculum frameworks for international and American overseas schools. She also served as an assessment consultant and was a high school social studies teacher.
Rachel Hansen
Rachel Hansen (she/her) is an experienced social studies educator whose grant work focuses on storytelling for impact with students using podcasts, maps, and heritage education. Hansen is passionate about designing learning experiences that compel students to engage in meaningful, authentic projects in their communities, where they can build relationships that produce sustainable change.
In 2019, Hansen received her first National Geographic Society grant to help students produce podcasts of the human journey modeled after National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek’s Out of Eden journalism. Students would go on to use the podcasting equipment to produce their own podcast series on the UN Sustainable Development Goals called Locally Global. In 2020, Hansen received a National Geographic Society grant to work with fellow Explorers Sylvia Johnson, an American filmmaker, and Joseph Karama, a Rwandan conservationist, in designing educational storytelling experiences for conservation at Akagera National Park in Rwanda.
Since 2022, Hansen has been working as a member of a National Geographic Society-supported collaborative project, Finding Nellie, led by Explorer Ellie De Castro. The team of Philippine and American teachers, archaeologists and storytellers have been unpacking a historical mystery investigating the namesake of Nellie E. Brown Elementary School in Olongapo. In addition to her grant work, Hansen is a member of the Explorer’s Queer and Allies Community Hub.
Serena McCalla
Serena McCalla has dedicated her life to advancing science and science education with the most promising youth globally. McCalla’s passion for scientific research and deeper scientific understanding led to her founding the iResearch Corporation (iRC). The iRC encompasses a variety of research-centric programs (iResearch Foundation, iResearch Institute, and iResearch Academy) seeking to unlock excellence in every science teacher and student while bolstering scientific prowess in underserved groups. The iRC promotes excellence, inquiry, and equity in science. iRC programs develop and complete virtual experimentation with students using data science, machine learning, and bioinformatics to identify and test novel hypotheses within many scientific fields—from astronomy to machine learning and genetics to environmental science and AI.
McCalla's pedagogy has resulted in a community of scientists who support next-generation scientists. McCalla's winning practices and students have an unparalleled track record of success in high-stakes international and national competitions, as displayed in the Disney+/National Geographic Emmy-winning documentary Science Fair and the 2023 TV series Science Fair: The Series. McCalla received the Wayfinder Award in June 2023, became a National Geographic Explorer, and established The Lost Einsteins competition.
McCalla aspires to support all students in making a difference by discovering something new within themselves and the world.
Jamil Wilson
Jamil Wilson (he/him) was reared in rural Ohio with a great interest in nature and exploration. Throughout college, Wilson worked at the local aquarium, where he learned about SCUBA diving and became an active member of academic organizations such as The McNair Scholars program. During that period, he received a grant from the National Science Foundation to do aquatic research in Puerto Rico.
Wilson graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in biology, a minor in music, and a great passion for diving and travel. After graduation, he visited numerous countries and U.S. cities, joined the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, started working as a phycologist, and interned at the Smithsonian Marine Station. Later, Wilson became the first African American to obtain the Our World Underwater Rolex Scholarship, which enabled him to travel internationally while conducting underwater research, learn advanced diving skills, and most importantly, realize his passion for promoting diversity outreach in marine science. Thus, after completing his year, Wilson pursued a Master of Science Education.
As a 2024 Fulbright-National Geographic Award recipient, Wilson will evaluate how a marine environmental education program in Papua New Guinea effectively encourages diverse students to participate in ocean advocacy through educational, cultural, technological, and personal experiences. His research aims to increase the diversity of students involved in ocean advocacy and science, influence better educational design and execution in marine programs, and foster international connections with local students and communities.
Democracy by Design: Reimagining Community and Civic Innovation
Shamichael Hallman
Shamichael Hallman is a civic innovator, author, and thought leader dedicated to strengthening communities through libraries, public engagement, and faith-based initiatives. As Director of Civic Health and Economic Opportunity at the Urban Libraries Council, he advocates for public libraries as vital civic infrastructure. His book, Meet Me at the Library, explores how libraries foster democracy and bridge-building.
A sought-after speaker, Shamichael has presented at top universities and library associations, with his insights featured by Sightline Institute, America Trends Podcast, and Jefferson Public Radio. He is the co-creator of the Bridge-Building Resource Hub, a national initiative hosted by WebJunction that equips libraries with tools to foster community connections. The initiative recently secured a second round of funding to expand its impact and continue its work.
Previously, Shamichael championed the multi-million-dollar renovation of the historic Cossitt Library in Memphis, contributing to Memphis Public Libraries earning the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Science. Holding a master’s in nonprofit leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a 2023 Loeb Fellowship, he continues to innovate at the intersection of community, innovation, and civic engagement.