SXSW Eco keynote speaker: Alex Steffen

AUSTIN (KXAN) - South by Southwest organizers Tuesday announced that Alex Steffen will be the keynote speaker for the inaugural event, the SXSW Eco Conference, set for Oct. 4 to Oct. 6.

This new event will bring together professionals in business, government and academia who are committed to finding solutions for a sustainable world. Like its sister events in March, SXSW Eco will offer eclectic content, unconventional thinking and fresh inspiration.

SXSW Eco happens at the Downtown Hilton hotel.

SXSW organizers said Steffen is considered to be one of the world's leading voices on sustainability, social innovation and planetary futurism.

Steffen will address the challenge of living on a rapidly urbanizing planet in the midst of a climate crisis, and the opportunities to imagine, design and build cities that are themselves climate solutions. A leader in planetary thinking, Steffen will give an overview of the range of tools available for building new urban environments, the unexpected opportunities for doing business in them and the political realities of making them happen.

“SXSW Eco promises to do for bright green innovation what the other South By conferences have done for technology, music and film -- showcasing some of the best work and thinking in a gathering filled with the people actually on the front-lines of creating that work,” said Steffen. “The green world needs a conference made of groundbreaking ideas and practical inspiration.”

“Alex is the ideal expert to kick-off our inaugural event and leave attendees inspired,” said Scott Wilcox, director of SXSW Eco. “His passion towards building and creating a more sustainable world will no doubt give our attendees the insights, tools and steps needed to take action on this pressing issue.”

Steffen will join previously announced keynotes Philippe Cousteau Jr., CEO of EarthEcho International and Mark Tercek, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy to lead the conference.

For a full listing of speakers and sessions, visit www.sxsweco.com/schedule/sessions/ .