Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Monday, March 23, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.
Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
Tickets On Sale February 9, 2026
The Progressive Forum is pleased to present Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, leading marine biologist, climate scientist, and co-founder of the Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities like Houston. She will be in conversation with Randall Morton, Progressive Forum executive director. At the end of the evening, she will greet fans and sign books.
About What If We Get It Right: Visions of Climate Future
Sometimes the bravest thing we can do while facing an existential crisis is imagine life on the other side. This provocative and joyous book maps an inspiring landscape of possible climate futures. With clear-eyed essays, vibrant interviews, data, poetry, and art, this New York Times bestseller of 2024, guides us through solutions and possibilities at the nexus of science, policy, culture, and justice. Johnson also co-edited All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis (2021), a collection of essays by women leaders on climate. Johnson also edited The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2022: Climate-Focused Articles from 2021---Selected by Renowned Marine Biologist Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson.
About Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Recent winner of the Earth Award from Time magazine, Johnson is a marine biologist, policy expert, and author working on the best possible climate future. Her popular podcast and newsletter are entitled What If We Get It Right. She co-founded the Urban Ocean Lab, a think tank for the future of coastal cities like Houston. She is the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College in Maine which includes coastal campuses with top science centers. She earned her BA in environmental science and public policy from Harvard University and a PhD in marine biology from Scripps Institution Oceanography. She serves on the board of directors for Patagonia and GreenWave, and on the advisory board of Environmental Voter Project. Ayana inspires optimism in her climate fight, asserting she’s “in love with climate solutions.”
Generously sponsored by Robin and Mike Bullington, Mary Cubanski and Don Griffin, Ann Hamilton, and Rebecca and Scott McCay
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Theater doors open at 6:30 p.m. when ticket holders can take their seats.
Door search, no large bags. Please refrain from bringing backpacks and anything larger than a small clutch purse into the event. Large items will be asked to be returned to your vehicle. All items are subject to search at the door.
Program is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd, Houston, TX, 77005, across from Rice University.
Please present your PDF ETicket on your mobile device or print your PDF ETicket and bring it with you to the venue for entry. Our greeters or box office can help you.
Free parking is available in the Congregation Emanu El campus garage. Enter on Sunset Blvd where uniformed officers will direct you.
Discounted books on sale at the Blue Willow Bookshop table in lobby.
The speaker will sign books following the program, around 9pm.
No private speaker reception.
Ticket prices are $115, $75, and $49 plus fees.
Box office services (credit card only) are available at the door on event night. In case of a sellout, there is no waiting list. Prior to event night, there are no tickets sold at Congregation Emanu El or any other physical location.
For box office assistance or for any other issues, please call 832-509-0262 or email boxoffice@progressiveforumhouston.org.
Guests who need special access are eligible for any ticket price. Ushers will seat special access guests in the aisles in the rear nearest restrooms. All rows are close to the speaker podium in the intimate seating environment.
During the lecture program, we will ask the audience to silence their personal digital devices, asking for no photography or videography.
Feel free to contact The Progressive Forum by email at staff@progressiveforumhouston.org.