Facing our Future: The Challenge of Water & Energy Forum
Wednesday, 14th january 2009
intercontinental la/century city
The Forum will focus on the growing importance and value of water both as a consumable resource essential to sustained life and as a renewable energy source. It will address issues of water stress relevant to Australia and the United States, considering possible methods and policies to improve the practices of water conservation and management. Experts will hypothesise on the critical effects that global climate change will have on water supplies. Finally, the symposium will discuss the development of solar, hydro, geothermal, tidal and wind energy which all offer prospects at a cleaner future.
Five panels will be formed by a diverse group of experts specialising in fields relevant to water. Running concurrently, exhibitors from Australia and the US will hold displays of cutting edge research, innovative technologies and best practice policies, providing tangible examples of effective ways to maximise the value and power of water.
The symposium will include a networking breakfast and a luncheon featuring keynote speeches by senior political leaders from Australia and the United States.
ORDER OF PRESENTATION:
Mr. Barry A. Goldstein, Chair of Australian Geothermal Energy Group; Director, South Australia Petroleum & Geothermal
1. Water Stress/Water Conservation and Management
Moderated by - Professor Tony Haymet, Vice Chancellor for Marine Science; Director and Dean of Marine Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Mr. Ian Barbour, General Manager, Dow Water Solutions
Dr. Mike Grace, Director, Water Studies Centre, Monash University
Mr. Jeffrey Kightlinger, General Manager, The Metropolitan Water District, Southern California
Dr. Sharon Megdal, Director, Water Resources Research Centre, University of Arizona
Mr. Gary Zimmerman, Executive Director, American Water Works Association
2. Water and Climate Change
Moderated by – Mr. Timothy Brick, Chairman of the Board, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
The Hon. Peter Beattie, Commissioner for the Americas, Government of Queensland, Australia
The Hon. Tim Holding, Minister for Water, Victoria, Australia
The Hon. Kevin Foley, Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, and Minister for Federal/State Relations, Government of South Australia
Mr. Barry A. Goldstein, Chair of Australian Geothermal Energy Group; Director, South Australia Petroleum & Geothermal
Mr. David Doepel, Director, Research Institute for Resource Technology, Murdoch University
3. Water and Energy
Moderated by – Ms. Lisa Bicker, President, CleanTECH
Mr. Joe Flynn, CEO, Water Industry Alliance
Dr. Karen Hussey, Vice Chancellor's Representative in Europe, Australian National University
Mr. Michael Leonard, President, American Water Works Association
Mr. Lester Snow, Director, Department of Water Resources, State of California
4. Energy Generation and Renewable Energy
Moderated by – Ms. Kateri Callahan, President, Alliance to Save Energy
Dr. Udo Bach, Australian Research Fellow, Monash University
Mr. Barry Buffier, Director General Department of State & Regional Development, New South Wales, Australia
Karen Blanks Ellis, Managing Director, Corporate and International Environmental Programs, FedEx Express
Mr. Jeffrey Jacobs, Vice President, Biofuels & Hydrogen, Chevron Technology Ventures
Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University
Keynote Luncheon Address:
Mr. Mike Chrisman, Secretary for Resources, Resources Agency, State of California
IMPACT: The symposium provides invaluable collaborative opportunities for the organising partners, participants, guests and leaders from many different sectors. Government leaders, business professionals, academics and environmentalists will be brought together not only by the breakfast, luncheon and panels, but also by the exhibitors’ hall that will be running throughout the day.
Panellists’ expertise will provide the audience with a better understanding of water and energy, and the considerable influence the resource will have on politics, economics and the environment in the 21st Century.
AUDIENCE: Senior political, business, academic, media and diplomatic leaders from across the US and Australia.
For more information contact: 
Caitlin.Brewer@dfat.gov.au
