Ross Macfarlane to discuss 'Toward Sustainable Flight' Feb. 14

With the generous support of Alaska Airlines, the Institute for Energy Studies speaker series convenes energy experts from on and off campus and connects the Western Washington University and Bellingham energy communities. Speakers will explore the diverse fields of energy research and development, and also debate timely issues that connect public policy and business thinking to emerging knowledge in energy science and technology.

• Wednesdays at 4 p.m. in CF115; all lectures are free and open to the public

Feb.14 - Ross Macfarlane, Climate Solutions (retired)

Toward Sustainable Flight.  Aviation contributes a rapidly growing share of global carbon dioxide emissions, and, for many people, flying accounts for the lion's share of their personal carbon footprint.  Despite a strong aviation industry focus on this issue, solutions remain elusive due to tough economics, technical challenges, and inconsistent policy support.  Ross will trace the journey to create low-carbon, sustainable fuels for aviation and address the Northwest's opportunity to play a leadership role in this transition.

Ross Macfarlane managed Climate Solutions Business Partnership program, which builds corporate support for strong climate and energy policy and private investment in solutions. He is active in promoting good climate and energy policy on a state and federal level. He managed and facilitated Sustainable Aviation Fuels Northwest, the first stakeholder effort in the nation to point a path to low-carbon alternatives to power the next generation of flight, and assisted aviation sustainability efforts in Brazil, Singapore, and elsewhere.

Macfarlane brings more than 35 years of experience working on public policy and environmental issues. He enforced environmental laws at the US EPA and was a partner at Preston Gates & Ellis (now K&L Gates) where he managed the environmental law practice. He also helped manage an agency working to build urban mass transit. A Northwest native, he is a graduate of Pomona College and University of Washington School of Law.

Macfarlane is an instructor at Western Washington University's Institute for Energy Studies and a founding member of the Institute's Advisory Board. He also serves on the boards of Climate Solutions, the Clean Energy Transition Institute, and the Advisory Council for UW's Clean Energy Institute. He has been nominated for the Sierra Club National Board.