The Intersection of Cultural Heritage and Climate Change, Co-Benefits Towards Greater Ambition

Cultural heritage has untapped potential to drive climate action for greater ambition. Working with non-traditional partners, tribal/indigenous governments, and communities, plans, methodologies, efforts can be more effective and secure long term change can be increased. As well, culture can play a unique role in steering necessary behavioral change. Together, the co-benefits of social cohesion and climate action are tremendously important to sustaining communities now and in the future. Ms. Polanco will discuss the broader issue and provide insight in current initiatives happening from local to global platforms. 

Julianne Polanco was appointed California’s State Historic Preservation Officer in July of 2015.  She served as a Commissioner and Chair of the California State Historical Resources Commission from 2005 to 2015. 
Ms. Polanco was the Director of Cultural Resources for Lend Lease Americas.   She was the Federal Preservation Officer and Senior Preservation Specialist at the Presidio Trust and Assistant to the Vice President for programs at the World Monuments Fund.
Her professional work also includes serving as Advisor to the Chairman of California Integrated Waste Management Board and Special Assistant to the Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency.  During her tenure at the California Department of Conservation, she held various staff positions in the Director’s Office, Division of Recycling and Division of Mines and Geology.  Ms. Polanco was a district staff member for Congressman Robert T. Matsui, specializing in labor, health care, the military, veterans’ affairs and the environment.
Ms. Polanco earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Political Science/International Relations from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master’s of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University.