BECC Webinars
The BECC Webinar Series brings attention to cutting-edge advances in research and practice addressing behavior, energy, and climate change. We showcase the best BECC-related content and world leaders in the field to keep the conversation going between conferences and throughout the year. For those who cannot attend BECC, the sessions provide an opportunity to learn and share ideas. For those who can attend, the series gives a preview of conference topics. Our mission is to promote and disseminate behavior research as it applies to real-world climate and energy issues. Enjoy!
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2026 Webinars
People, Data Centers, and AI (oh my!): Exploring the Social, Climate, and Economic Impacts of the AI Boom
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
12:00 PM-1:00 PM PT/3:00 PM-4:00 PM ET
Behind the rapid growth of artificial intelligence lies a growing network of data centers that are impacting communities. These facilities can consume vast amounts of electricity, strain local water supplies, and affect the quality of life of people who live near them.
Join the Behavior, Energy & Climate Change (BECC) community for a webinar exploring the behavioral and climate change implications of data centers and AI. We’ll examine key questions about AI’s impacts and mitigation strategies, including:
- How are data centers impacting priority populations?
- What steps are regulators and policymakers taking to increase transparency, accountability, and protection for individuals?
- How can individuals and organizations reduce the climate impact of AI use?
- What are strategies toward responsible, ethical AI and sustainable data centers with positive societal impacts?
2025 Webinars
Can AI Change Minds? The Promise and Peril of Personalized Persuasion
Monday, Oct. 27, 2025
11:00 AM-12:00 PM PT/2:00-3:00 PM ET
On Monday, Oct 27, from 11-12p PT (2-3p ET), Prof. Moran Cerf will share new findings from a recent Nature Scientific Reports study demonstrating how large language models (LLMs) can generate personalized persuasive messages at scale, revealing surprising implications for public communication, marketing, and behavior change.
Drawing on experiments that combine neuroscience, psychology, and artificial intelligence, the research shows how generative AI can tailor messages to individual personalities and values. What are the opportunities and potential risks of deploying AI-driven persuasion in areas such as climate communication, public health, and political engagement? Join us to find out!
How to Tell a Climate Story People Care About
Tuesday, September 16, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET
Effective climate communication must involve compelling storytelling to earn an audience’s attention, trust, and engagement. In this webinar, we will share strategies that help content break through the noise across digital platforms while getting people to care about climate solutions.
We will be joined by Jacob Simon, an award-winning video creator, who will explain the process and tactics he’s used to successfully build an audience of more than one million people, turn technical topics into accessible and uplifting stories, and drive people to take meaningful action.
Speakers:
Jacob Simon
Independent Video Creator
Moderator: Beth Karlin
Founder and CEO
See Change Institute
Improving Home Energy Upgrades with Insights from Households and the Construction Industry
Tuesday, July 29, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET
Households and construction professionals often think very differently about the many benefits of energy retrofits. For example, while households tend to prioritize benefits like improved indoor comfort and reduced energy bills, the construction industry emphasizes technical aspects and cost considerations. Taking steps to align the interests of both groups can help drive more energy retrofits in the United States and better outcomes for all involved.
Join us for a webinar sharing insights from a new, large-scale survey analysis that identifies substantial differences in how households and construction professionals view energy upgrades. We’ll be joined by three experts to discuss these attitudes and motivations as well as opportunities to use the findings to maximize the benefits of retrofitting U.S. homes and buildings.
Watch the webinar recording
Download the presentation slides
Speakers:
Nuria Casquero-Modrego, PhD
Energy Researcher
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory LBNL
Iain Walker
Leader of Residential Building Systems Group
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory LBNL
Moderator: Therese Peffer
Associate Director
California Institute for Energy & Environment CIEE, UC Berkeley