EPA Chief Lisa Jackson in Palo Alto to discuss initiatives that expand US environmental business markets, create jobs and build healthier cities

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will join policy-makers, practitioners, technology innovators and students at the Rio+2.0 conference at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business to discuss the importance of technology in the environmental, health, agricultural, and sustainable economic development fields.  Jackson will also discuss the new US-Brazil Joint Initiative on Urban Sustainability, which aims to expand US markets for environmental and sustainable businesses.

Over the course of three days, participants at the Rio+2.0 conference will explore ways to apply existing and developing connection technologies, including the web, SMS and mobile phones, to advance sustainable development.  Panel sessions will examine the innovation culture, and the role of governments and civil society, in fostering innovation.  As the source of many of the technologies and new ideas that have powered Silicon Valley for decades, Stanford is an ideal environment in which to explore innovations that will drive sustainable development. 

Rio+2.0 is designed to help draft innovative and results-oriented solutions to development challenges using connection technologies.  The United States intends to present the outcomes of the conference at the international Rio +20 conference in Rio De Janerio, Brazil in June.

Friday, February 3

8:45 AM        Administrator Jackson Keynote Remarks
Cemex Auditorium
Stanford Graduate School of Business

9:15 AM        Press Availability with Administrator Jackson
                Stanford Graduate School of Business

To gain access to the event and press availability media must RSVP in advance to Mary Simms via email at simms.mary@epa.gov. 

For more information and for a Live Video Stream: http://csi.gsb.stanford.edu/rio20-conference

Conference Twitter Hashtag: #USRio20. 

U.S. programs and policies for the June Rio+20 UN conference:  www.state.gov/rio20