Vicki Arroyo uses environmental law and her background in biology and ecology to help prepare for global climate change.
Why you should listen
The climate is quickly changing. Scientists increasingly talk of a new period in the Earth's history, the "anthropocene", in which human impact on the planet has become dominant. Yet we remain unprepared to deal with the consequences: specifically, the disruption and cost. Lawyer Vicki Arroyo, the executive director of the Georgetown Climate Center, works on climate mitigation and adaptation policies as viable solutions to climate change’s inevitable disruptions to current practices. Using the best available science, Arroyo collaborates with US policymakers at both the state and federal level to develop "planetary management" strategies.
For a through (and constantly updated) toolkit of adaptation resources, visit the Georgetown Climate Center >>
Read Vicki's essay on preparing for future disasters in the wake of Hurricane Sandy >>
What others say
One of Grist's seven 'favorite journos and wonks.'
Vicki Arroyo’s TED Talk
More news and ideas from Vicki Arroyo
Impact of Ideas
10 years of changing views on climate change, in TED Talks
June 25, 2016
10 years of TED Talks show how the conversation around climate change has developed, from awareness-raising to dire warnings to a growing sense that we can actually do something about it.
Continue readingScience
How can we talk about climate change? (Or can we?)
May 2, 2014
It's tempting to argue about climate change — but this fascinating dialogue suggests that sometimes, the debate is just not worth your time. Climate expert Vicki Arroyo and risk analyst Dan Kahan discuss.
Continue readingEnvironment
‘It will not be cheap or easy’: Highlights from our chat with Vicki Arroyo
October 8, 2012
[ted id=1583 width=560 height=315] On Friday, Oct. 5, the TED Conversations community hosted Vicki Arroyo for a one-hour live chat to talk about adapting to climate change — and to share more data behind the story. Read the whole chat — and see some highlights below: Feyisayo Anjorin asked: Recently Nigeria’s coastal states has been […]
Continue reading

