Charles Ries to Speak on Green Buildings, Green Jobs

In developed countries, more than a third of all energy is used to heat, cool and illuminate buildings – efficiently or not. Increasing energy efficiency and reducing energy use in buildings will play an important part in any policies designed to improve energy security and limit the risks of climate change.

Ambassador Charles Ries will describe how Europe and Australia have pioneered new policies to promote energy efficiency in buildings and discuss lessons the U.S. can learn from these efforts. Ries will also discuss how building energy efficiency programs can create well-paying "green jobs" in the building materials industry, building renovation, new construction and the creation of high-tech testing and evaluation capabilities.

Charles Ries, senior fellow at RAND. Ries most recently served as the minister for economic affairs and coordinator for economic transition in Iraq at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Prior to that, he served as U.S. ambassador to Greece and principal deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010.
There will be a reception at 6 p.m. with light refreshments.

RAND Corporation
1776 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90407