The Climate Solutions Series
A signature event of The Great Northern, The Climate Solutions Series envisions a Midwest that thrives by exploring real-world solutions and opportunities to build a more equitable and sustainable future.
The schedule
Join us at The Main Cinema on January 31 for a day full of panel discussions, film screenings, a live podcast taping, bookstore pop-up, and a Climate Action Fair.
Opening Remarks
Shane Wolf
President, Aveda & Hair Care
The Great Progression – AI & Clean Energy
Peter Leyden
A future of reinvention
How to Survive the End of the World
adrienne maree brown & Autumn Brown
Join us for this live podcast taping
Water, Land, and Relatives
Ken Lucero & Shelley Buck
Indigenous visibility & environmental stewardship
Mix and Mingle
The Nature of Northern Adventure
Anthony Taylor, Mikah Meyer, and Nasrieen Habib
What drives us into the cold?
Insight on Midwestern Decarbonization: Spark Talks
Anne Schechinger, Nicholas Martin
Innovations transforming the Midwest
What if We Get it Right? Visions of Climate Futures
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Book talk + Q&A
Explore. Connect. Act.
Climate Action Fair
Visit the Climate Action Fair for two days of hands-on exhibits, inspiring ideas, and real ways to take action for our planet. Discover, connect, and be part of the movement!
Meet our speakers
adrienne maree brown & Autumn Brown
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Peter Leyden
Shelley Buck
Ken Lucero
Frequently Asked Questions
Passes are available online through The Great Northern Festival’s event partner, Eventeny—just follow the “Get Passes” link! Choose a Climate AM Pass (blue) for morning sessions or a Climate PM Pass (green) for afternoon sessions. Festival Supporter and Saturday Passes provide broader festival access, including entry to the Climate Solutions Series, but only Climate Passes guarantee seating. We recommend purchasing early, as seating is limited.
Yes. Each session block requires its own pass. A Climate AM Pass guarantees seating at all morning talks, while a Climate PM Pass guarantees seating at all afternoon sessions.
Yes. Saturday Passholders have access to all Climate Solutions Series events, but entry and seating are subject to capacity and not guaranteed. If you would like to guarantee your seat, we recommend purchasing a Climate AM or Climate PM pass.
Fifteen minutes before each session begins, any remaining seats will be released to passholders waiting in the ticketing line.
Festival Supporter Passholders receive priority seating—after all Climate Passholders have been seated, but before Saturday Passholders. A limited number of seats are reserved specifically for Festival Supporter Passholders.
Fifteen minutes before each session begins, any remaining seats will be released to passholders waiting in the ticketing line.
No. All seating is general admission.
All sessions take place at The Main Cinema, the central venue for the Climate Solutions Series.
The Great Northern Climate Solutions Series is funded in part by the McKnight Foundation
The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesota-based family foundation, advances a more just, creative, and abundant future where people and planet thrive. Established in 1953, the McKnight Foundation is deeply committed to advancing climate solutions in the Midwest; building an equitable and inclusive Minnesota; and supporting the arts and culture in Minnesota, neuroscience, and global food systems.
The Great Northern Climate Solutions Series is supported by the generosity of Xcel Energy
