2026 Climate Week Events
Keynote: Some like it hot—But Not THIS Hot! Goosing the Energy Transition
with Dr. Martin (“Mike”) Pasqualetti
Join us for a night that’s equal parts reception, talk, and honest dialogue. Energy geographer Mike Pasqualetti pulls back the curtain on the hidden “threads of energy” running through our daily lives—from coffee and smartphones to the Colorado River and the American West—with wit, warmth, and a call to action right here in Billings.
Before Dr. Pasqualetti takes the stage at 6:00 PM, local groups will host tables to highlight community-driven climate work and foster connections across organizations and generations.
5:00 pm Reception
Join us at The Glacier Room next to The Petro Theatre on the Campus of MSU Billings. to welcome Dr. Pasqualetti and sponsor tables in the Glacier Room.
6:00 pm Keynote
Join us in Petro Theater for the keynote presentation featuring Martin J. (“Mike”) Pasqualetti as he explains how power, politics, and place shape the world’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
About Dr. Pasqualetti
Martin Pasqualetti is Professor of Geography and Senior Sustainability Scientist in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University. A pioneer in the study of “energy landscapes,” his research examines how energy systems reshape places and societies, with work spanning renewable energy transitions, nuclear power plant decommissioning, and the food–energy–water nexus.
He has advised agencies and NGOs including the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and
the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and has served on multiple state energy councils in Arizona. Pasqualetti’s books include The Renewable Energy
Landscape and The Thread of Energy, and he has authored more than 100 articles and chapters on energy, environment, and society. His contributions to energy geography have been recognized with honors such as the American Geographical Society’s Alexander and Ilse Melamid Medal and election as a Fellow of the American
Association of Geographers.