AI: Climate Solution or New Source of Risk?

This session highlights how Johns Hopkins MS programs in Environmental Sciences and Policy (ESP), Energy Policy and Climate (EPC), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) integrate artificial intelligence to equip students with advanced tools for addressing the climate crisis. Faculty will showcase courses such as AI, Renewable Energy and Climate Change, Science Communication and Policy Engagement, and AI and Public Attitudes to Climate Change, demonstrating AI applications ranging from emissions modeling, climate adaptation, and policy analysis to countering misinformation through an AI climate‑denial chatbot and studying public attitudes and behavior change. The session will include a live demo, course examples, and a panel discussion on the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into climate, energy, and environmental policy education.

Panelists:

Mohamed Ali Hafez (Mo Hafez) is a lecturer in the MS in Energy Policy and Climate program at Johns Hopkins University and an ethical technologist with over 15 years of experience leading AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives for Fortune 500 companies. He is the founder and CEO of ByteWise LLC, a corporate training firm focused on digital literacy and ethical technology use, and the host of the Beyond the Byte podcast, where he explores the intersection of technology, ethics, and society with global thought leaders. An active member of the Association of AI Ethicists, Hafez collaborates with colleagues to design purpose-driven courses that blend technical expertise, strategic insight, and ethical responsibility. He holds an MBA in Executive Leadership from James Madison University and is known for his engaging teaching style and commitment to preparing future leaders to address complex global challenges with integrity.

David E. Guggenheim is program coordinator, lecturer, and academic advisor for Johns Hopkins University's environmental master’s programs. He is a marine scientist, conservation policy authority, ocean explorer, submersible pilot, award-winning author, speaker, and educator. He has played a leadership role in environmental organizations across the country, including as CEO of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Co-chair of the Everglades Coalition, and Vice President of Ocean Conservancy. For 25 years, Guggenheim has led marine research in Cuba, chronicled by his award-winning book, The Remarkable Reefs of Cuba: Hopeful Stories from the Ocean Doctor. An ocean explorer, he piloted the first manned submersible dives into the world’s largest underwater canyons in Alaska’s Bering Sea. Guggenheim has appeared on 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, PBS Newshour, NPR, and in The New York Times. Guggenheim is an award-winning photographer with more than 60 international awards. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University, a master’s degree in Aquatic and Population Biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master's degree in Regional Science and a bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.

Amardeep Dhanju is a lecturer in the MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy program at Johns Hopkins University, bringing over 16 years of experience spanning federal government, consulting, industry, and academia. His work sits at the intersection of energy policy, environmental permitting, and AI applications for energy and environmental systems, where he supports renewable energy projects and energy‑efficient data centers at Aspen Environmental Group and advises the California Energy Commission on electricity and natural gas system analysis. Previously, he spent a decade as a senior policy analyst at the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, contributing to large‑scale, data‑driven environmental planning. A published researcher and associate editor for Energy for Sustainable Development, Dhanju has taught in the JHU MS in Energy Policy and Climate program since 2015, holds a PhD from the University of Delaware, was a Knauss Fellow in Washington, DC, and is based in San Francisco.

Lama Elhatow is a Program Coordinator and lecturer in the MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy and MS in Energy Policy and Climate programs at Johns Hopkins University, with over 15 years of experience in climate change and water resources, including more than a decade at the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation. Her work focuses on transboundary water management and environmental and social compliance for complex infrastructure and energy projects across the Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, sub‑Saharan Africa, and Latin America, including initiatives such as the Benban Solar Park in Egypt and hydropower development in Pakistan. She has also served as a climate policy officer for the UNFCCC climate negotiations, contributing to global mitigation and adaptation efforts. Elhatow holds degrees from the American University in Cairo and a PhD in sustainability from Erasmus University Rotterdam and is deeply committed to understanding and addressing the interconnected challenges of environmental systems.

About:

The Environmental Sciences and Policy (ESP), Energy Policy and Climate (EPC), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs at Johns Hopkins prepare students to tackle today’s most pressing environmental and climate challenges through a blend of scientific rigor, policy analysis, and practical application. The ESP program equips future environmental leaders with interdisciplinary training across ecosystem science, conservation, environmental law, sustainability, and GIS, empowering students to address issues ranging from climate change to environmental justice. The EPC program builds deep expertise in climate science, energy systems, and policy, enabling students to understand renewable and traditional energy technologies, evaluate climate risks, and develop strategic solutions for a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. Together, these programs develop the analytical, technical, and policy skills needed to drive meaningful, evidence‑based climate action.

Zoom link also available for online participation: https://zoom.us/s/96258570990

DC Climate Week is not responsible for this event. It is organized by the organizing group, and being listed on the DCCW calendar is not an endorsement of content or partners.