2008 Desert Lyceum Program
Click to Download Program

The rising cost of energy has accelerated the drive for efficiency, and spurred on the next wave of innovation and investment in alternatives. Governor Schwarzenegger has attracted international attention for his environmental policy efforts. His goal is to make California government, at all levels, a model of ingenuity and innovation that will inspire and encourage the public and private sectors and all of California's 30 million citizens to pursue sustainability.

"California is blessed with vast resources... we rededicate ourselves to making California cleaner, greener and more prosperous." -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger State agencies, cities and communities throughout California have taken up the challenge, forming innovative partnerships that include utilities, local government, universities, non-profit organizations, corporations and consultants. Many cities in California are vying to be the "greenest" communities in the state, the country - even the world.

How should the Coachella Valley respond? How can we become cleaner, greener, and more prosperous? What is best for the Valley? How do we realize our goals for energy efficiency and create a regional framework for economic growth in the green sector?

This summit is the first of its kind for the Coachella Valley, formed out of year-long work done by the UCR Desert Lyceum, a non-partisan leadership group dedicated to exploring issues of consequence to the future of the Coachella Valley.

The LYCEUM SUMMIT will emphasize interaction among participants and speakers since a fundamental tenet of the LYCEUM is dialogue and debate. Following a morning of breakout sessions, participants will engage in a Socratic dialogue designed to examine all sides of the issues.

The summit is open to the public for a fee. One of the keynote speakers is Anthony Brunello, Deputy Secretary for Climate Change and Energy with the California Resource Agency. He is the former program coordinator for international programs within the U.S. Forest Service. "Brunello is on the frontline of issues concerning energy efficiency and its relationship to the new eco-economy," said Stark.

Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 7-8 a.m. Registration
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Summit
4:30 p.m. Reception
Venue: Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa
44-400 Indian Wells Lane
Indian Wells, CA 92210-8708


Desert Lyceum Sponsors

Speaker Bios June 06, 2008
Desert LYCEUM Position Statement:
Energy, Th eEnvironment and Economic Opportunity

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Desert Lyceum 2008 Summit on Energy, Environment and Economic Change on April 25, 2008.