Ko Barrett currently serves as one of three vice chairs of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the international body created to review and assess the scientific, technical, and socio-economic information produced worldwide that is relevant to understanding climate change. Prior to her current role, Ms. Barrett represented the United States on many delegations dealing with climate change and sustainable development and led the Climate Change Program at the United States Agency for International Development. She is widely recognized as an expert on climate policy, particularly on issues related to climate impacts and strategies to help society adapt to a changing world. Ms. Barrett has a bachelor of science degree in environmental studies and an honorary Doctor of Science from the University of North Carolina - Asheville.