Chris Turner

Keynote Speaker | Calgary, Alberta

Author & Journalist
Climate Change, Energy Transition & Sustainability Expert

Chris Turner Expertise HR & Corporate Culture, Leadership, Resilience & Adversity, Influence & Negotiation, Peak Performance, Environment & Climate Change, Government Departments & Agencies, Climate Change and Sustainability.

Chris Turner

About Chris Turner

Chris Turner is one of Canada’s foremost voices on climate change solutions and the global energy transition. An award-winning author and journalist, he is known for translating complex ideas about renewable energy, cleantech, and urban design into clear, practical frameworks for progress. His bestselling books include The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands, which won the National Business Book Award, and How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World, winner of the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, and Maclean’s, earning him 10 National Magazine Awards.

Chris Turner Videos

The Past, Present, and Future of Canadian Energy

The Future Will Look like the Current Mess | Chris Turner #walrustalks

Chris Turner Avicc on Energy Sustainability

Why Canadian History Isn't as Boring as You Think It Is: Chris Turner

Chris Turner Interviews & Podcasts

Acoc 5.1 Featuring Chris Turner & the Case for Climate Optimism [feb 2

Climate Change Literature: Balancing Anxiety and Optimism for Multi-g

Hrai in the Air Interview with Kick off Keynote Speaker Chris Turner

CHRIS TURNER BIOGRAPHY

Chris Turner is one of Canada’s leading authorities on climate change solutions and the global energy transition. He is known for his clear, evidence-based approach to explaining how the shift toward a sustainable economy is reshaping industries, cities, and communities worldwide.

He has spent more than two decades reporting from the front lines of climate innovation, documenting the rise of renewable energy, cleantech, and sustainable urban design. Through his writing and speaking, Chris Turner provides audiences with a clear understanding of what a successful energy transition looks like in practice and how leadership, policy, and innovation intersect to make it possible.

Chris Turner’s latest book, How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World, offers a realistic and hopeful framework for addressing the climate crisis through proven solutions. Published by Random House Canada, the book won the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing and has been praised for its accessible insight into the technologies and systems driving the next era of progress.

His 2017 bestseller, The Patch: The People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands, provided a balanced and deeply reported account of Canada’s most controversial energy sector and earned the National Business Book Award. His earlier works, The Leap and The Geography of Hope, were both finalists for the same award and established his reputation as one of the country’s most respected environmental writers.

Chris Turner’s 2014 essay collection, How to Breathe Underwater, won the City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize and gathered some of his most compelling magazine features on technology, culture, and the environment. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The Guardian, The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, and numerous international publications, where his reporting has consistently illuminated the social and economic realities of climate change.

Over the course of his career, Chris Turner has received 10 National Magazine Awards for excellence in feature writing, reporting, and commentary. His work combines deep research with a focus on practical solutions that demonstrate how climate action can create lasting economic and social benefit.

He has served as a media fellow at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue, a writer-in-residence at the Berton House in Dawson City, and a Paul D. Fleck Fellow at the Banff Centre. These experiences have strengthened his global perspective on sustainability and his ability to translate complex issues into engaging narratives that resonate with both expert and general audiences.

As a speaker and communications strategist, Chris Turner works with organizations seeking to navigate the transition to a low-carbon economy. His recent clients include the Canadian Climate Institute, TD Bank, Siemens Energy, Natural Resources Canada, Compugen, and the Canadian Institute of Planners. Through these engagements, he provides data-driven insights that help leaders and teams understand the implications of the energy transition and communicate their vision effectively.

Chris Turner’s presentations explore how innovation, policy, and community engagement can accelerate meaningful progress toward sustainability. He connects the lessons of climate leadership from around the world to the realities facing Canadian industries and governments, offering audiences practical tools to implement change.

In all his work, Chris Turner emphasizes optimism grounded in evidence and action. He demonstrates that the technologies, systems, and ideas necessary for a sustainable future already exist and that success depends on how effectively they are applied.

Chris Turner continues to write, speak, and advise on the transformation of global energy systems and the future of sustainable development. His perspective is valued by policymakers, corporate leaders, and citizens who seek credible, solutions-oriented insight into one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century.

He lives in Calgary with his wife and two children, where he continues his research and writing on the evolving relationship between technology, environment, and society.

Chris Turner Topic Presentations

Chris Turner Calgary, Alberta, Canada delivers keynote presentations, workshops, fireside chats, moderated Q&A, and other presentation formats on a wide variety of topics. Each presentation is unique, customized and tailored for audiences, industries, conferences and event formats.

How to Be a Climate Optimist

Tracking the Global Energy Transition

Taking the Leap: Embracing the Sustainable Economy

Chris Turner Books & Articles

The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the Sustainable Economy
The Leap: How to Survive and Thrive in the

In The Leap, Chris Turner presents a field guide to making that jump, drawing on recent breakthroughs in state-of-the-art renewable energy,...

How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a Better World
How to Be a Climate Optimist: Blueprints for a

From the National Business Book Award winner and GG finalist, a very different book about facing the climate crisis, and what awaits us on...

The Patch: the People, Pipelines, and Politics of the Oil Sands
The Patch: the People, Pipelines, and Politics of

The Patch is the story of Fort McMurray and the oil sands in northern Alberta, the world’s second largest proven reserve of oil. But this...

Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation
Planet Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece

A smart, accessible and funny cultural analysis of The Simpsons, its inside stories and the world it reflects. From Bart Simpson to Monty...

Chris Turner Speaking Testimonials

"Everything went great at our event! Chris’ keynote was very well received and our President was very pleased with everything."

Senior Advisor, Internal Communications
Targay

"Chris provided a thought-provoking and stimulating presentation on the need for a change in the way we live. His passion for the subject matter certainly came through in his detailed and energetic presentation. He left us with a renewed sense of the need for (and benefits of) sustainability as a core principle in transportation planning and city-building."

CITE Conference

"Chris Turner’s presentation was powerful and delivered with passion. It was exactly what we were looking to provide to our audience."

Better Buildings Conference

"The War on Science is a tremendously important book and you owe it to your country to read it."

National Post Review 2013

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chris Turner known for and what is their expertise as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Chris Turner is known for defined subject matter expertise based on professional experience and industry background. As a keynote speaker in Canada for conferences and conventions, their presentations align with organizational objectives and audience outcomes. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada are selected based on credibility, relevance, and practical application. Expertise alignment supports informed booking decisions. Read More

What topics does Chris Turner speak on for conferences, conventions, corporate events, and annual general meetings in Canada?

Chris Turner delivers keynote presentations on defined topic areas confirmed during booking. Canadian business speakers for corporate meetings in Canada align topic selection with event objectives and audience priorities. Conference speakers in Canada adapt messaging for conventions, trade shows, and summits. Topics are finalized prior to written confirmation. Read More

How do I know if Chris Turner is the right fit for my audience, conference, convention, or AGM?

Chris Turner is evaluated based on audience alignment, event objectives, and subject matter relevance. Event planners booking keynote speakers in Canada for corporate conferences review experience, delivery style, and industry context. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings must align with program goals and audience expectations. Fit is clarified during the pre decision call. Read More

Where is Chris Turner from and where do they speak across Canada?

Chris Turner is from Calgary, Alberta and is available for events across Canada. Conference speakers in Canada frequently travel nationally with defined travel terms. Corporate keynote speakers coordinate scheduling through structured agreements. Availability is confirmed through formal inquiry. Read More

Is Chris Turner available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, webinars, or hybrid events in Canada?

Chris Turner is available as a virtual keynote speaker for online conferences, corporate webinars, and hybrid events in Canada. Virtual keynote speakers in Canada deliver structured presentations adapted for remote audiences. Format, platform coordination, and timing are confirmed during booking. Virtual availability is documented through written agreement in Canada. Read More

Does Chris Turner deliver keynote presentations, workshops, training sessions, breakout sessions, fireside chats, or panel discussions?

Chris Turner may deliver keynote presentations as well as workshops and breakout sessions. Canadian business speakers for corporate training in Canada define session length and format during booking. Conference speakers may also participate in fireside chats or panel discussions depending on program design. Session formats are confirmed in writing. Read More

How do I contact Chris Turner to check availability and begin the booking process in Canada?

Chris Turner is contacted through Speakers Bureau of Canada to confirm availability and event details. Event planners and meeting planners typically schedule a pre decision call to clarify format, objectives, and scope. Booking begins once event requirements are defined. Written confirmation follows agreement execution. Read More

How do I book Chris Turner for a conference, convention, trade show, summit, or corporate meeting in Canada?

Chris Turner is booked through a structured agreement process confirming availability, fee structure, and logistics. Booking keynote speakers in Canada for conventions and trade shows includes written contracts and defined payment terms. Canadian business speakers for annual general meetings require scope confirmation before date holds convert to confirmed status. Booking is finalized upon agreement execution. Read More

How much does it cost to book Chris Turner as a keynote speaker in Canada?

Chris Turner keynote speaker fees depend on event type, audience size, format, and location. The cost to book a keynote speaker in Canada varies based on preparation scope and delivery structure. Corporate keynote speakers in Canada confirm fees through a booking agent and written agreement. Final pricing reflects defined scope and contract terms. Read More

Are there additional costs to hire Chris Turner for a corporate event, convention, or trade show in Canada?

Additional costs to hire Chris Turner may include travel expenses, extended sessions, workshops, meet and greets, emcee duties, or event host roles. Keynote speakers in Canada for business conventions often separate honorarium from travel and related logistics. Canadian business speakers confirm these components in writing before agreement execution. All additional costs are outlined contractually. Read More

How far in advance should I book Chris Turner for a conference, convention, or business meeting in Canada?

Chris Turner should be booked once event dates, location, and format are confirmed. Conference speakers in Canada often secure dates several months in advance. Corporate keynote speakers for annual general meetings may have limited availability during peak seasons. Early inquiry improves confirmation certainty. Read More

Is Chris Turner represented by an agent in Canada and how is the agreement handled?

Chris Turner is represented by Speakers Bureau of Canada for booking coordination and agreement management. Keynote speakers in Canada often work through an agency to formalize contracts and payment handling. Agent representation ensures structured communication between organizers and the speaker. Representation clarifies agreement terms before confirmation. Read More