Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join Program Coordinator for the MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy and MS in Energy Policy and Climate programs Lama Elhatow as she hosts industry leaders Annie Britton, Mohamed Ali Hafez, and Amardeep Dhanju for an engaging discussion on promising Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations, their potential to solve the climate crisis, the challenges of AI usage, and the importance of an AI ethics framework in the industry.
The Sustainable Solutions webinar series will address the immense potential that AI holds in analyzing vast amounts of data from satellites, sensors, and climate models to provide accurate and timely insights into environmental changes. These advances enable better prediction of extreme weather events, and help communities prepare and respond effectively. The discussion also will explore how AI can improve energy efficiency in industries, transportation, and buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the development of renewable energy sources, and allowing for more informed decisions and implementation strategies that contribute to a sustainable and resilient future. Webinar guests will also explore the need to ensure that AI is utilized in an ethical manner and the importance of creating a framework, relating to AI usage in the industry, which addresses this evolving technology.
Annie Britton
Annie Britton is an environmental data scientist specializing in geospatial data analysis, AI methodologies, and climate risk modeling. As Climate Engine's Lead Earth Scientist, she develops geospatial solutions to optimize decision-making in the face of climate, extreme weather, water, and biodiversity challenges. Her research, which often blends AI with climate science, has been published in Science of the Total Environment, Journal of Applied and Service Climatology, and NASA Technical Reports. She holds a MS from JHU's ESP program, where her thesis focused on AI-driven drought impact prediction.
Mohamed Hafez
Mohamed Ali Hafez, known as Mo Hafez, has over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. He has led projects for Fortune 500 companies in AI, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and network optimization. Hafez is the founder and CEO of ByteWise LLC, a corporate training company promoting digital literacy and ethical technology use. He hosts the podcast Beyond the Byte and is an active member of the Association of AI Ethicists where he contributes to advancing global discussions on the responsible and equitable use of artificial intelligence. Hafez is currently co-teaching a course at EPC on AI, Renewables, and Climate Change.
Amardeep Dhanju
Amardeep Dhanju is a Senior Managing Consultant with Ramboll, supporting permitting and development of utility-scale renewable energy projects and energy efficient data centers. Previously, he served as a senior policy analyst at BOEM, coordinating federal policy initiatives at the intersection of energy and environment. He has coauthored several journal articles published in Energy Policy, Renewable Energy, Ocean and Coastal Management and Geophysical Research Letters. He has served as an associate editor for the Energy for Sustainable Development journal since 2014. Amardeep is currently co-teaching a course at EPC on AI, Renewables, and Climate Change.
Sustainable Solutions Series Overview
The Sustainable Solutions Speaker Series is presented by the Environmental Sciences and Policy and the Energy Policy and Climate programs at Johns Hopkins University. Each talk features scholars and practitioners working to tackle ‘wicked’ environmental, energy, and climate problems. Speakers take us through how they leverage technology, policy, the private sector, markets, research, and field work to form innovative and lasting solutions. From water insecurity to climate adaptation, natural resource conflict to energy transitions, and food insecurity to sustainable agriculture, this series features the depth and breadth of Johns Hopkins University faculty and our greater community as we work toward a sustainable future.
Join Program Coordinator for the MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy and MS in Energy Policy and Climate programs Lama Elhatow as she hosts industry leaders Annie Britton, Mohamed Ali Hafez, and Amardeep Dhanju for an engaging discussion on promising Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations, their potential to solve the climate crisis, the challenges of AI usage, and the importance of an AI ethics framework in the industry.
The Sustainable Solutions webinar series will address the immense potential that AI holds in analyzing vast amounts of data from satellites, sensors, and climate models to provide accurate and timely insights into environmental changes. These advances enable better prediction of extreme weather events, and help communities prepare and respond effectively. The discussion also will explore how AI can improve energy efficiency in industries, transportation, and buildings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the development of renewable energy sources, and allowing for more informed decisions and implementation strategies that contribute to a sustainable and resilient future. Webinar guests will also explore the need to ensure that AI is utilized in an ethical manner and the importance of creating a framework, relating to AI usage in the industry, which addresses this evolving technology.
Annie Britton
Annie Britton is an environmental data scientist specializing in geospatial data analysis, AI methodologies, and climate risk modeling. As Climate Engine's Lead Earth Scientist, she develops geospatial solutions to optimize decision-making in the face of climate, extreme weather, water, and biodiversity challenges. Her research, which often blends AI with climate science, has been published in Science of the Total Environment, Journal of Applied and Service Climatology, and NASA Technical Reports. She holds a MS from JHU's ESP program, where her thesis focused on AI-driven drought impact prediction.
Mohamed Hafez
Mohamed Ali Hafez, known as Mo Hafez, has over 15 years of experience in the tech industry. He has led projects for Fortune 500 companies in AI, cloud migration, cybersecurity, and network optimization. Hafez is the founder and CEO of ByteWise LLC, a corporate training company promoting digital literacy and ethical technology use. He hosts the podcast Beyond the Byte and is an active member of the Association of AI Ethicists where he contributes to advancing global discussions on the responsible and equitable use of artificial intelligence. Hafez is currently co-teaching a course at EPC on AI, Renewables, and Climate Change.
Amardeep Dhanju
Amardeep Dhanju is a Senior Managing Consultant with Ramboll, supporting permitting and development of utility-scale renewable energy projects and energy efficient data centers. Previously, he served as a senior policy analyst at BOEM, coordinating federal policy initiatives at the intersection of energy and environment. He has coauthored several journal articles published in Energy Policy, Renewable Energy, Ocean and Coastal Management and Geophysical Research Letters. He has served as an associate editor for the Energy for Sustainable Development journal since 2014. Amardeep is currently co-teaching a course at EPC on AI, Renewables, and Climate Change.
Sustainable Solutions Series Overview
The Sustainable Solutions Speaker Series is presented by the Environmental Sciences and Policy and the Energy Policy and Climate programs at Johns Hopkins University. Each talk features scholars and practitioners working to tackle ‘wicked’ environmental, energy, and climate problems. Speakers take us through how they leverage technology, policy, the private sector, markets, research, and field work to form innovative and lasting solutions. From water insecurity to climate adaptation, natural resource conflict to energy transitions, and food insecurity to sustainable agriculture, this series features the depth and breadth of Johns Hopkins University faculty and our greater community as we work toward a sustainable future.
