March 14–15, 2024

Climate change poses a growing threat to global food security. Loyola University Chicago’s 2024 Climate Change Conference convened experts from multiple disciplines to explore how climate change impacts global food security. Speakers discussed strategies for developing equitable, resilient, and sustainable food systems.

This annual conference draws inspiration from Loyola’s enduring Jesuit values of social justice, service to humanity, and care for our world. The event aims to advance our understanding of the climate crisis, foster discussion around practical solutions, and inspire action for a more just and sustainable world. The two-day 2024 event included a keynote presentation, panel discussions, a poster session, and an exhibitor hall. 

Keynote Presentation

Keynote by Amanda Little, author of The Fate of Food: What We'll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World

Thursday, March 14, 6 pm–8 pm
Sister Jean Multipurpose Room, North and South
View the Recorded Presentation

The Climate Change Conference kicked off on Thursday, March 14, with a keynote presentation by Amanda Little, Bloomberg columnist and professor of journalism and science writing at Vanderbilt University. She is the author of the bestseller The Fate of Food: What We'll Eat in a Bigger, Hotter, Smarter World, a five-year adventure into the lands, minds, and machines shaping the future of sustainable food. 

Panel Discussions

The Impacts of Climate Change on Global Food Security
This panel addresses critical questions about how climate change will impact global food production, including how extreme weather events related to climate change could impact traditional agricultural practices. The panel discusses what climate projections for the 21st century tell us about risks to food security globally and which regions will feel the most significant impact.
View the Recorded Presentation

Climate Change and Food Production in the Midwest
This panel explores climate predictions for the Great Lakes states and the Midwest and the potential impacts on regional food production. Panelists discuss strategies for developing a more resilient and sustainable food system, exploring approaches such as climate-smart agriculture and regenerative land management.   
View the Recorded Presentation

Climate Change and Food Justice 
This session addresses the need to build local and equitable food systems that ensure everyone can procure and grow healthy, sustainable produced food. Panelists discuss what communities, organizations, and individuals are doing to address these issues in the Chicagoland region. 
View the Recorded Presentation

Exhibit Hall 

The exhibit hall featured local organizations focused on climate change, environmental sustainability, sustainable food, and food security. 

Poster Session and Reception

The poster session provided an opportunity for researchers to share work on topics related to environmental sustainability, climate change, and sustainable food systems.