U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz and Ocean Explorer, Dr. Sylvia Earle Announced as SXSW Eco Keynotes

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- South by Southwest Eco (SXSW Eco), a conference connecting the urgency of global sustainability challenges with the opportunity for breakthrough solutions, today announced U.S. Secretary of Energy, Dr. Ernest Moniz, as well as world-renowned ocean explorer and researcher, Dr. Sylvia Earle, as the final keynotes for the conference taking place October 6-8 in Austin, TX.

As United States Secretary of Energy, Dr. Moniz works to grow the economy, increase security and protect the environment through promotion of clean energy to advance the President's energy strategy. Previously, Dr. Moniz held positions at MIT, the Executive Office of the President, and the Department of Energy surrounding science, energy and security.

All-of-the-Above in a Carbon Constrained World: The United States energy system is being transformed at an unprecedented pace both by increased oil and natural gas production, and by rapid deployment of renewables. Technology innovation and associated cost reduction is key to this deployment. Secretary Moniz will discuss how the President's Climate Action Plan advances an all-of-the-above energy strategy while simultaneously promoting ambitious goals for mitigating climate change risks.

Founder of Mission Blue, the Sylvia Earle Alliance and Deep Ocean Exploration and Research Inc, Sylvia Earle is an oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer. Formerly the chief scientist at NOAA, she has logged more than 7,000 hours underwater earning her the title "Her Deepness" by the New York Times and "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress.

Sustainable Seas: The Vision and the Reality: Never before has it been possible to understand the magnitude of human impacts on the natural world. Never again will there be a better time to take action to protect the systems that underpin our health, economy, security and most importantly life itself. The presentation describes a vision for true sustainability within a rapidly changing world.

"Dr. Earle is the strongest voice for oceans the world has ever known, and Secretary Moniz directs perhaps the most significant efforts in our nation's attempt to combat climate change," said Chris Sonnier, producer and program manager of SXSW Eco. "Combining the highest level thinkers from such diverse fields is what SXSW Eco is all about."

Earle and Moniz will join keynote speakers from Boeing and the Masdar Institute, as well as "Father of Environmental Justice," Dr. Robert Bullard. Over 300 other top-level speakers from companies the likes of Target, Google, Toyota and National Geographic will lead thought-provoking sessions intended to provide solutions to the world's most urgent sustainability challenges. Programming themes this year include smart cities, energy, food systems, advocacy, big data, behavior and more.

SXSW Eco will also bring together entrepreneurs and investors from around the world through Startup Central - a robust track of programming featuring a rapid-fire pitch competition, a Springboard event for early stage startups, and one-on-one mentoring. The conference will also feature a hackathon presented by the World Wildlife Fund and a SunShot Catalyst Jamathon from the U.S. Department of Energy.

The SXSW Eco Exhibition occurs October 6-7, 2014 and will feature compelling exhibitors, demonstrations, events, and other opportunities to interact, learn and make meaningful connections. For more information, please go to http://sxsweco.com/exhibition.

SXSW Eco is sponsored by Austin Energy, Austin Technology Incubator, Lagunitas, the Austin Chronicle and Sun Radio. Registration is now open for SXSW Eco 2014. To register go to http://sxsweco.com/attend and save before the next deadline of September 12, 2014.

About SXSW Eco:

Now in its fourth year, SXSW Eco attracts a global community to explore, engage and co-create solutions for a sustainable world. A uniquely inclusive platform for professionals, SXSW Eco examines the critical challenges of our times through a kaleidoscopic lens of design innovation, policy tipping points, technological breakthroughs, conservation practice, entrepreneurial spirit and a culture of creativity to transform inspiration into action.      

Media Contact:
Ariel Miller
SXSW Eco Publicist
Tel. 512-467-7979 x296
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE SXSW Eco

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