Speakers in Detail

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Summer Rayne Oakes is a model, activist and sustainable business consultant. Oakes joined the Virtual March against Global Warming in 2006 and assists numerous clients, including universities, media, non-profits and foundations in environmental communications and market research revolving around sustainability and climate change. She frequently reports on the youth climate change movement for Energy Action’s www.itsgettinghotinhere.org, but is most known for her work as a fashion model advocating environmental action and sustainable fashion. She is the face for Levi’s “5-01 Volunteer Campaign” and the “Be Carbon Neutral Campaign” and has been named one of the “Green All-Stars” in the April 2007 issue of Outside Magazine. Her work has also appeared in Vanity Fair, GQ, Lucire, Grist, E Magazine, CNN, NPR and others. For more information, visit www.gen-s.net

Simran Sethi
Simran is the face of Sundance Channel’s "The Green," the voice of TreeHugger.com's Radio segment on Air America Radio's environmental program EcoTalk, the eco-expert on the syndicated green home makeover show "The EcoZone Project," and the host of "KEEP IT GREEN," the sustainability programming from High Definition Television Channel Equator HD. As former host/writer of the PBS series "Ethical Markets" and contributing author to the book, Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy, Sethi worked with futurist Hazel Henderson on the first television show highlighting sustainable business practices and corporate social responsibility — all while simultaneously getting her MBA in sustainable business at San Francisco's Presidio School of Management.

Fred Keeley
Mr. Keeley authored the Marine Life Management Act. The Associated Press characterized that legislation as the “most significant advancement in ocean policy in fifty years” in California.  Prior to his current position as Treasurer-Tax Collector, Fred Keeley served as Executive Director of the Planning & Conservation League, and the PCL Foundation, two leading organizations in the implementation of major environmental protection policy. From 1996 through 2002, Mr. Keeley represented the Monterey Bay area in the California State Assembly. During his service in the legislature, Mr. Keeley authored the Marine Life Management Act. The Associated Press characterized that legislation as the “most significant advancement in ocean policy in fifty years” in California. Mr. Keeley also authored the two largest park and environmental protection bonds in the nation’s history, a total of $4.7 billion. Upon his retirement from the state Assembly, the University of California at Santa Cruz established a lecture series in his honor, the Fred Keeley Lectures on the Environment. Mr. Keeley serves on the Board of Directors of the California Ocean Science Trust; Planned Parenthood of California and Nevada; Save Our Shores; and, teaches at San Jose State University.

Jonny Dubowsky
Iggy Pop meets Al Gore. That's the best way to describe the unique and spirited work of Jonny Dubowsky, lead singer of the popular rock band Jonny Lives!(WARNER MUSIC GROUP/11-7 Records), and founder of Rock'n'Renew. A multi-faceted organization with the resources and connections to make real environmental change happen. Its target areas of action; Energy, Ecology, and Society represent a three-pronged approach that urges conservation, promotes stewardship, and links the health of our society to the health of the planet. Through its focus with both respected environmental organizations and nationally popular musicians and artists (like Debbie Harry, The Kaiser Chiefs, The Fountains of Wayne, Everclear, Kal Penn and many others), Rock 'n Renew is uniquely suited to encourage elementary, high school, and college students to contribute to the health of our planet. The program and its accompanying curriculum motivate students to TAKE ACTION and apply their creativity through exciting classroom experiences, artwork, music, trips, internships and other programming.

Dr. Wallace J. Nichols
J. is author of more than fifty scientific papers, book chapters, popular articles, and reports on sea turtle ecology and ocean conservation. His efforts are featured in National Geographic, Scientific American, Time, Newsweek and other international media. His latest project, 11th hour, is an eco-documentary produced by Leonardo DiCaprio which was just released at the Canne's Film Festival.

J.’s projects and philosophy incorporates participatory science, social networking, and creative communication to inspire a healthier relationship with the sea. He is the author of the children’s book Chelonia: Return of the sea turtle, which has been translated to Spanish and is distributed throughout Mexico to underprivileged youth. He is also co-author of the screenplay Adelita’s Journey based on the true story of one loggerhead sea turtle’s epic 24,000 km migration from Japan to Mexico and back home again. J. continues to share his research with millions of school children around the world through school and aquarium visits, field trips, the Internet and various publications and writing projects.

J. works with several universities and organizations to advance ocean protection, including Senior Research Scientist at the Ocean Conservancy, California Academy of Sciences as a Research Associate, Conservation Science Advisor for ProPeninsula, on a global bycatch study with Duke University and Blue Ocean Institute, and as a board member of Animal Alliance, Coastwalk, Drylands Institute, Oceana and Reef Protection International. He is also spearheading the Ocean Revolution, a program that inspires, involves and mentors the next generation of ocean conservation leaders.

Dr. Nichols is also a Research Associate at the California Academy of Sciences and a Regional Vice Chair of the IUCN Marine Turtle Specialist Group. He currently advises a group of dedicated and energetic graduate students at universities in both Mexico and the U.S.

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