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May 2008
Ted Turner Urges Action to Prevent Climate Change
By Julia Parmley If Ted Turner was the next president of the United States, he would call for total nuclear disarmament and a complete transition to renewable energy sources. These are just some of the thoughts the founder of CNN shared with his former colleague Frank Sesno, professor of media and public affairs and Emmy Award-winning CNN special correspondent, in the latest installment of GW’s 2008 Public Affairs Project Conversation Series at GW’s Jack Morton Auditorium on April 10. An entrepreneur, environmentalist, and humanitarian, Turner described his work as founder of the United Nations Foundation, a charitable organization he created with a $1 billion gift in 1998. Turner also is co-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an organization that works to reduce the global threats from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. As the largest individual landholder in North America, Turner supports environmental projects including water resource management and reforestation on his Turner Ranches, 2 million acres of natural land in the United States and Argentina. Turner urged members of the audience to “do whatever it takes” to prevent climate change. “This planet is worth saving and the human race is worth saving, and it’s in our hands,” said Turner. “If we start right away, we can salvage this planet.” The Public Affairs Project Conversation Series is sponsored by GW’s Center for Innovative Media and focuses on media, public policy, politics, and culture. Over the past year, the center has hosted events with former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, former White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, and ranking generals and experts in Iraq. Programs are coordinated in collaboration with GW’s Homeland Security Policy Institute and the Elliott School of International Affairs.
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