Abstract: Food is essential for life, it is emotive, and it is imbedded in our cultures and family histories. However, climate change is changing everything on the menu giving us unlimited stories to tell and make climate change relevant to everyone. We all eat! The common ground of food even crosses the political divide. Regardless of political affiliation most people are concerned about climate change impacts on their food, and they are interested in learning more—an audience awaits. Food is the ultimate climate change messenger. This is not another doom and gloom story but one focused on a solution. Everyone can tap the power of food to confront climate change and keep our favorites on the menu. And coincidentally, help keep the planet livable.

Bio: Mike Hoffmann transitioned to Professor Emeritus in January 2020 after 30 years in the Department of Entomology. He maintained an active research and extension program in the department focused on integrated pest management and biological control, despite holding an 80% appointment in leadership/administration roles in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences from 1999 to 2020. Addressing the greatest challenge of our time — climate change — has been his focus for many years. Despite being an Emeritus Professor, he is not retired. He now dedicates all his time to this grand challenge and often helps people understand and appreciate what is happening through food. He tells the climate change story with passion, a little humor, and without doom and gloom. It’s a science-based message about what is happening and what we all can do about it. His TEDx, Climate change: It’s time to raise our voices has been well received. He is also the lead author of Our changing menu: Climate change and the foods we love and need (Cornell University Press 2021) and associated website – Our changing menu.

This event is presented as part of the 2026 Perspectives on the Climate Change Challenge Seminar Series:

• Most Mondays, Spring Semester 2026, 2:55-4:10 p.m.
• 155 Olin Hall & Zoom

This university-wide seminar series is open to the public (via Zoom), and provides important views on the critical issue of climate change, drawing from many perspectives and disciplines. Experts from Cornell University and beyond present an overview of the science of climate change and climate change models, the implications for agriculture, ecosystems, and food systems, and provide important economic, ethical, and policy insights on the issue. The seminar is being organized and sponsored by the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering and Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability.