Michael Shank, Ph.D.

Michael Shank, Ph.D., is the Communications Director for the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, a group of international cities committed to achieving aggressive long-term carbon reduction goals, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network, a peer-to-peer network of local government professionals from cities across the United States and Canada dedicated to creating a healthier environment, economic prosperity, and increased social equity. Michaels professional career includes leading press and/or policy shops at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Climate Nexus, Friends Committee on National Legislation, U.S. Congress (Mike Honda), Institute for Economics and Peace, Biodiversity Northwest, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance and more. Michaels academic career includes a Ph.D. from George Mason Universitys School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution and is focused on climate conflict. Michael is adjunct faculty at New York Universitys Center for Global Affairs, where he teaches graduate courses on Sustainable Development, Power and Politics and Climate and Security. Shank is also adjunct faculty and a board member at George Mason Universitys School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution, where he teaches graduate courses on Communicating Conflict, and a senior fellow at the JustJobs Network.