Former chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality James Connaughton spoke to an in-person and virtual audience June 25 as part of Sandia’s Climate Security Speaker Series.

Connaughton discussed technology solutions that will propel future American energy abundance, as well as how artificial intelligence and public policy can accelerate those innovations. Drawing on classic sci-fi movies, he encouraged Sandians to think both big and small and let go of any assumptions that might limit their contributions to this paradigm shift.

One example he shared of a seemingly small piece of technology with a big impact are LED lights, a technology built on foundational research at Sandia in solid-state lighting. According to Connaughton, LED lights have saved U.S. consumers more than $2.5 trillion in reduced energy costs.

Connaughton believes Sandia and all the other national laboratories will continue to lead in energy and AI moving forward: “I want to underline just how essential you are to this next generation of development, not just for the U.S. but for the world.”

Sandia’s Climate Security Speaker Series hosts external speakers to promote thought, discussion and partnerships that can further enhance our efforts to address climate-related risks to national security.

Employees can find Connaughton’s talk on the Climate Security Speaker Series webpage.