Public Affairs (Audio)

For several Latin American & Caribbean (LAC) countries, notably Mexico, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina and Guyana, the production of oil and gas is vital for their fiscal health. This dilemma has only been exacerbated by the economic challenges derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, countries in the region face growing pressure to de-carbonize their economies. To support LAC countries on the path towards net-zero objectives, international financial institutions and multilateral development banks – including the Inter-American Development Bank – are now de-emphasizing funding for fossil fuel-related projects. The Institute of the Americas hosts Jessica Bedoya, Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer for the Inter-American Development Bank to address these issues, including the challenge of balancing energy transition and job growth with the realities of securing badly needed external financing to support economic recoveries. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37481]

In September, the Lopez Obrador administration sent an initiative to Congress aimed at amending the constitution and completely restructuring the electric sector and market. The administration has set forth specific criticisms of the prevailing market structure, particularly with regards to the Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE). The Institute of the Americas authored white paper, “Clean Energy Cost-Savings: A Study of Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE),” provides an assessment of the impacts both in terms of CFE’s financial outlook and emissions profile. The purchase of clean energy through the auctions in order to obtain the corresponding CEL certificates has allowed CFE to avoid variable generation costs at its thermoelectric plants, which would have been far higher than the cost of purchasing the clean energy. Indeed, the amount saved can be estimated based on fossil fuel use avoided and cost of the emissions that would have been generated, as we review in detail. Series: "Hemisphere in Transition" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37621]

María Marquine, PhD, shares research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on adults age 50+, noting the differential impact by race/ethnicity in the US. Lauren Brown, PhD, discusses the unique stress experience of black older adults. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37595]

The UCSF Repair Project recognizes that long-standing racial inequities in health, health care institutions and scholarship are a result of structural violence and systemic racism. The project seeks to open conversation and promote efforts to rectify and eliminate these problems. Aimee Medeiros, PhD shares the history that informs the project and current research. Series: "Mini Medical School for the Public" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37572]

Oscar Vasquez-Mena, PhD, shares his story of growing up in the Mexican state of Chiapas and how he found his passion for science and engineering. He believes that the university should provide a sense of community and explains how he uses his research, the arts, and academic programs to support first generation students as they pursue a college education. Series: "Education Channel" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 36424]

Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius explore the H1N1 Pandemic of 2009 and what lessons that pandemic might have for our current situation. Series: "Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37523]

The impacts of climate change and the urgency to act have not gone unnoticed in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The Institute of the Americas (IOA) has released a policy white paper entitled, Nationally Determined Contributions Across the America: A Comparative Hemispheric Analysis in an effort to better assess progress made to date by countries across the Americas in delivering on their climate commitments. The white paper provides a timely snapshot of progress made, while also highlighting the serious funding gaps that remain if LAC countries are going to deliver on their previously agreed upon climate pledges. Series: "Climate Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 37455]

The race equity movement has left us with greater awareness of the urgent need for changes in the way we interact and run our businesses and institutions. This discussion features a frank discussion on what one psychiatry department has done to address interpersonal and systemic racism, as well as insight from an expert on a compassion-based approach for insightfully seeing and discussing race, and being actively antiracist. Panelists: Rhonda Magee, JD, Professor of Law, University of San Francisco; Michelle Porche, EdD, Associate Adjunct Professor, UCSF Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Matthew State, MD, PhD, Oberndorf Family Distinguished Professor and Chair, UCSF Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Moderated by Elissa Epel, PhD, Vice Chair for Adult Psychology, UCSF. Series: "Emotional Well-Being in Times of Crisis" [Public Affairs] [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 37477]

The Center on Civility & Democratic Engagement (CCDE) at the Goldman School of Public Policy presents a special 2021 UC Berkeley Homecoming lecture featuring Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin. CCDE Faculty Director Dan Lindheim interviews Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin on how he went from Cal student to Berkeley's Mayor, and the key issues the City faces in terms of public safety, housing, homelessness, COVID, and its complicated relationships with the Berkeley campus. Series: "Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37321]

Disinformation - the intentional dissemination of false information to shape political and social outcomes - is an increasingly pernicious feature of the US political landscape. In just the past 18 months, disinformation has had direct, harmful effects on efforts to check the spread of COVID-19, on initiatives for racial justice and on the 2020 election and its aftermath. Clearly, disinformation costs lives and erodes democracy. This Berkeley Conversation convenes eminent scholars to explore one of the most critical questions facing US democracy: How can we counter disinformation to protect our communities without compromising America’s core principles? This event is sponsored by the Goldman School of Public Policy, Berkeley Law and the Office of Communications and Public Affairs. Series: "Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley" [Public Affairs] [Show ID: 37462]