Howard University, led by Alexandra Grayson and Laila Greene, is hosting a series of four virtual events (M, W, Th, and F) on climate justice. Guest speakers include Rep. Donald McEachin (VA), Green 2.0’s Andres Jimenez, NWF’s Mustafa Santiago Ali, two of our Arizona organizers (Richard Gallon and Karlyn Bradley), and activist and founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, Leah Thomas. Rachel Carson Council Fellow Destiny Hodges will moderate Wednesday’s session on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice.

Use the hashtag #ClimateJusticeWeekHU to amplify the events. The event will also be livestreaming on Facebook. More details are below.

RSVP to the events at https://linktr.ee/defendourfuturehu

RETWEET: https://twitter.com/DefendOurFuture/status/1306624930444906499

Monday, September 21, 7 pm ET

CLIMATE JUSTICE 101
Join Defend Our Future Howard University Ambassadors for a Presentation and Panel about climate justice and solutions to environmental injustice.

Now more than ever the threat of climate change has become evident to communities not previously engaged with the crisis. Many communities, mostly socioeconomically vulnerable, have been and continue to be disproportionately impacted by environmental degradation and climate change. Who are these communities, where have policy and decision-makers failed, how are these being remediated now, and what are best strategies for the future?

We will hear from activists and organizers from across the country reflecting upon climate injustice and share a vision for the future regarding proper solutions.

Featured Panelists are:
Rachel Clark, Waves of Change HBCU
Leah Thomas, GreenGirlLeah and Intersectional Environmentalist
Richard Gallon, Defend Our Future
Karlyn Bradley, Defend Our Future
Lee Jordan, Black Yield Institute

This event will be moderated by Laila Greene, 2020-21 Defend Our Future Ambassador, Howard University Chapter

Wednesday, September 23, 7 pm ET

AUTHENTIC INCLUSION: A Panel Discussion addressing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice in the Environmental Field

Join Defend Our Future Howard University Ambassadors for a Panel discussion about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice in 2020 and Beyond.

Members of the most vulnerable communities experiencing climate change and environmental degradation have for far too long gone unrepresented in the movement. During this panel discussion, we discuss current efforts to diversify environmental spaces in science, law, policy and management. Panelists will discuss tangible tactics for a path to true diversity, equity and inclusion.

Attendees will leave with an understanding of the current state, what to expect, allies in the environmental field who are serious about DEIJ and making great strides toward it, as well as what career options are available in this rapidly evolving field.

Featured panelists:
Andres Jimenez, Green 2.0 Executive Director
Jonathan Molineaux, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Carmera Thomas-Wilhite, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Michelle Gabrieloff-Parish, Movement Strategy Center Young Black Climate Leaders

Image removed by sender.This event will be moderated by: Destiny Hodges, Generation Green Founder, Howard University Student Sustainability Committee Co-founder, Rachel Carson Council Fellow.

Thursday, September 24, 7 pm ET

KEYNOTE: Environmental Justice, Public Health and Policy

Join Defend Our Future Howard University Ambassadors for back to back keynote sessions about the future of federal environmental justice policy structures.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed to many the stark reality of environmental justice challenges across the nation and globe. As we look to the future of climate solutions, the United States as a top polluter, must take the lead on actionable, urgent policies that protect the most vulnerable communities.

This event will focus on the intersection of environmental and public health issues, and we will hear about solutions to consider for federal environmental justice policy as our country addresses the climate crisis.

Keynote:

Mustafa Santiago Ali, Vice President of Environmental Justice, Community & Climate Revitalization at the National Wildlife Federation, and a founding member of the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice

This keynote will be moderated by Alexandra Grayson, 2020-21 Defend Our Future Ambassador, Howard University Chapter

Friday, September 25, 6:30 pm ET

CLOSING KEYNOTE: Ms. Joyce Msuya, UN Environment Program Deputy Director and opening remarks from Rep. A. Donald McEachin

Join the Howard University Chapter of Defend Our Future for our closing keynote event to close out Climate Justice Week.

Featured Speakers Are:
Representative Donald McEachin (D, VA-14) from the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
Ms. Joyce Msuya, the United Nations Environment Program Deputy Director.

This event will be moderated by Alexandra Grayson and Laila Greene, 2020-21 Defend Our Future Ambassadors, Howard University Chapter

RSVP to the events at https://linktr.ee/defendourfuturehu