American Climate Leadership Summit, Day Two

Posted by Brad Johnson Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:00:00 GMT

The 11th annual American Climate Leadership Summit 2022 (ACLS 2022) brings together world class speakers and diverse national and local leaders for four days of sharing and collaboration. It is the only national convening exclusively dedicated to building broad public support and political resolve for climate action. ACLS 2022 welcomes climate leaders of all levels–particularly those who are new and active at the local level. Join thousands of leaders like you who seek new connections and practical and immediately actionable guidance for engaging everyone, every day for just and equitable climate solutions.

Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four

11:00 AM-11:10 AM

Summit Welcome + Opening Keynote
  • Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica
  • Vanessa Hauc, News Anchor; Director, Telemundo Network News; Telemundo News Planeta Tierra
  • Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator (D-RI)

11:10 AM-11:25 AM

Futures Not Freeways: Portland Youth Fighting for Transportation + Climate Justice

  • Adah Crandall, Organizer, Sunrise PDX

11:25 AM-12:00 PM

Be a Climate Superhero

Margaret Mead’s famous quote “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” rings exponentially true for climate action. Each of us has the power to influence others in our lives. America needs all of us, including you, to help bring others around us toward solutions. You can be a climate superhero! Hear from leaders who prove that one person can be the change we want to see in the world (and for our climate).

  • Benjamin Franta, JD, PhD, PhD Candidate, History of Science, Stanford University
  • LaTisha Harris, Community Organizer, Mothers Out Front
  • Kat Lockwood, Associate Organizing Director, NARAL Pro-Choice America

12:05 PM-12:15 PM

Local Action, National Purpose Spotlight; Personal: Family + Friends

There is so much we can do to be part of the solution on climate change, in our daily lives and with friends and family. In this session, hear about how you can make climate solutions a kitchen table issue, featuring Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association, interviewed by Leyla McCurdy, MPhil, Chair, Climate for Health Leadership Circle Executive Committee.

  • Georges C. Benjamin, MD, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
  • Leyla McCurdy, MPhil, Chair, Climate for Health Leadership Circle Executive Committee

12:17 PM-12:29 PM

Local Action, National Purpose Spotlight; Organization: Workplace + Beyond

There is so much we can do to be part of the solution on climate change, including in our daily lives. In this session, hear about what you can do to lead on climate in your place of worship, featuring Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to UCC Minister + President, United Church of Christ, interviewed by Carol Devine, Director, Blessed Tomorrow.

  • Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to UCC Minister and President, United Church of Christ
  • Rev. Carol Devine, Director, Blessed Tomorrow, ecoAmerica

12:30 PM-12:40 PM

Local Action, National Purpose Spotlight; Community

There is so much we can do to be part of the solution on climate change, including in our daily lives and right in our own communities. In this session, hear about what you can do to lead on climate in your city or town, featuring Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, PhD of the Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive SWFL, interviewed by Deneine Powell, Director of Path to Positive Communities.

  • Deneine Powell, Director, Path to Positive Communities, ecoAmerica
  • Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, PhD, Regional Director, Growing Climate Solutions: Path to Positive SWFL

12:45 PM-12:55 PM

Conservation Ranching: Grazing Our Way to a Better Climate

Grasslands are important carbon sinks but are threatened by development and a changing climate. There is a natural solution here, however, one that keeps them working as part of America’s breadbasket, but also brings out their best in response to the biodiversity and climate crises. Through its Conservation Ranching Initiative, the National Audubon Society supports ranchers to protect and improve habitat, while also connecting consumers to this important conservation work through the marketplace. These diverse grasslands become more resilient, better equipped to withstand extreme weather events. Join and learn how Audubon and America’s ranchers are working hand-in-glove across millions of acres.

  • Melinda Cep, Vice President, Natural Solutions + Working Lands, National Audubon Society
  • Doniga Markegard, Regenerative Rancher + Author, Markegard Family Grass-Fed

12:55 PM-01:05 PM

Farming in Emerging Economies: Ag-Weather Intelligence for a Changing Climate Adapting to the impacts of the changing weather starts with information. Digital Climate Advisor Services (DCAS) are scalable, location and crop specific advisories provided in-time to help small-scale producers adapt to the changing climate. Hear from an agricultural climatologist on how this technology is providing improved food security and nutrition.

  • John Corbett, PhD, Sr. Advisor Agricultural Climatology, TomorrowNow.org

01:05 PM-01:15 PM

Conservatives, Conservation, Climate

  • Erin Heskett, Vice President of Conservation Initiatives, Land Trust Alliance

01:20 PM-01:40 PM

Overcoming Climate Disasters

​​Climate change is increasing the severity and likelihood of major storms. From raging wildfires in the Western United States to stronger hurricanes hitting the coasts, Americans are feeling and seeing the impacts of a warmer world. Samantha Montano, PhD discusses the ways in which we can better prepare for climate disasters and support those impacted.

  • Lisa Renstrom, President, Threshold Foundation
  • Samantha Montano, PhD, Assistant Professor, Massachusetts Maritime Academy

01:45 PM-02:15 PM

Local News, National News, or Is it News? Covering climate in the media. Discussion on how climate change is being covered in the media, and the prospects for more productive coverage in 2022.

  • Louis Aguirre, News Anchor/Environmental Advocate, WPLG TV 10/Berkshire Hathaway
  • Mark Hertsgaard, Executive Director, Covering Climate Now
  • Vanessa Hauc, News Anchor; Director, Telemundo Network News; Telemundo News Planeta Tierra
  • Bonnie Schneider, Meteorologist/Author, “TAKING THE HEAT

02:15 PM-02:35 PM

Plastic-Free Futures: Education as the Path to Climate Justice

Plastic pollution is a planetary crisis, intersecting with climate and justice. Educating a wide audience about the connections between climate, environmental justice, and plastic pollution is key to creating the plastic free, healthy, just, equitable, and regenerative future we need for humanity to survive. In this panel discussion, hear from three leaders who are working at the frontlines to inspire action.

  • Yvette Arellano, Founder, Fenceline Watch
  • Sharon Lavigne, Founder, Rise St. James
  • Lauren Ritchie, Founder, The EcoJustice Project

02:35 PM-03:15 PM

Youth and Truth to Power

Youth continue to be forces to reckon with for climate justice and action. Youth leaders will be speaking about the prospects for climate action in 2022, and how we all can be allies for the youth climate movement.

  • Aniya Butler, Hip Hop + Climate Justice Coordinator, Youth Vs Apocalypse
  • Hannah Estrada, Education + Organizing Coordinator, Youth Vs Apocalypse
  • Jerome Foster II, Executive Director + Founder, OneMillionOfUs
  • Alexandria Villaseñor, Climate Activist + Executive Director, Earth Uprising

03:15 PM-03:45 PM

Target 2022: Policy, Politics, Prospects + Priorities

We can solve climate change, but we need to act now. Governments, policymakers, and advocates have made amazing progress over the past decade on the science, technologies, and policies we need. In fact, we’re in a better position now to solve climate change than ever before. Hear from leaders working to move ambitious and just climate action forward in 2022, and what we can all do to help build the public support and political will needed for a healthy, safer, and prosperous future.

  • Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor, State of Wisconsin
  • Sean Casten, Congressman (IL-06), US House of Representatives
  • Phil Sharp, Board Chair, ecoAmerica
  • Paul Tonko, Congressman (NY-20), US House of Representatives

03:45 PM-04:00 PM

Committing to Climate Action + Closing

  • Bob Perkowitz, Founder + President, ecoAmerica
  • Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica

American Climate Leadership Summit, Day One

Posted by Brad Johnson Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:00:00 GMT

The 11th annual American Climate Leadership Summit 2022 (ACLS 2022) brings together world class speakers and diverse national and local leaders for four days of sharing and collaboration. It is the only national convening exclusively dedicated to building broad public support and political resolve for climate action. ACLS 2022 welcomes climate leaders of all levels–particularly those who are new and active at the local level. Join thousands of leaders like you who seek new connections and practical and immediately actionable guidance for engaging everyone, every day for just and equitable climate solutions.

Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Day Four

11:00 AM-11:20 AM

Summit Welcome + Opening Keynote
  • Vanessa Hauc, News Anchor; Director, Telemundo Network News; Telemundo News Planeta Tierra
  • Bob Perkowitz, Founder + President, ecoAmerica
  • Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica

11:20 AM-11:55 AM

We Are The Solution

We have a breadth of climate solutions within our reach, however in order to implement with ambition and scale, we need the public support and political will of the American people. Each of us has the power to influence others in our lives. In this panel discussion, hear from three leaders who are reaching new audiences to inspire climate action.
  • Sistah Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, MSW, LCSW Director, AME Social Action Commission
  • Kate Meis Wright Executive Director, Climate Mayors
  • Meighen Speiser Executive Director, ecoAmerica
  • V. Fan Tait, MD, FAAP Former Chief Medical Officer, American Academy of Pediatrics

12:00 PM-12:15 PM

People Powered Science Solutions

  • Gregg Treinish, Executive Director, Adventure Scientists

12:15 PM-12:30 PM

Reality or Greenwashing: Will Business Lead

  • Andrew Winston, Founder, Winston Eco-Strategies

12:35 PM-01:05 PM

How to Prepare for Climate Change

Most people know David Pogue through his award winning work as an author and correspondent on technology on PBS, CBS Sunday Morning, the New York Times, Scientific American, and in his many books and podcasts. All of a sudden last year, he popped up with an epicly handy new book, “How to Prepare for Climate Change.” Bob Perkowitz will interview David and explore David’s transition and his insights.

  • Bob Perkowitz, Founder + President, ecoAmerica
  • David Pogue, Correspondent, CBS News Sunday Morning; Author, “How to Prepare for Climate Change”

01:05 PM-01:25 PM

Community Action: Making It Happen Climate solutions can be good for our town, our health and our climate.

  • Robert Easter, Mayor of East St. Louis, IL, MRCTI State of Illinois Chair
  • Michael Sertle, Chief Project Biologist, Ducks Unlimited
  • Colin Wellenkamp, Executive Director, Mississippi River Cities + Towns Initiative

01:25 PM-01:35 PM

Public Lands: Local Solutions to a Global Climate Crisis

The science is unequivocal: we must rapidly phase out fossil fuel development to avert the worst effects of the climate crisis. The U.S. is the second largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions in the world and almost a quarter of these emissions stems from fossil fuel development on public lands and waters. The Biden Administration can make public lands part of the climate solution, instead of the problem, by dramatically cutting oil and gas development while supporting a just economic transition for fossil-fuel-reliant communities. In this session, you’ll learn from environmental organizers about ways communities have taken action and how you, too, can be a part of the solution.

  • Daniella Gonzalez Calderon, Climate + Energy Fellow, The Wilderness Society
  • Olivia Juarez, Latinx Community Organizer, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
  • Lauren Berutich, Associate Director, Great Old Broads for Wilderness

01:35 PM-01:45 PM

Justice, Democracy, Climate: It’s a Package Deal

Hear from Beverly Wright, PhD, how we can–and must–work toward justice, democracy and climate solutions at the same time, offering a roadmap for such efforts in 2022.
  • Beverly Wright, PhD, Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

01:45 PM-01:55 PM

It’s Not the Cow It’s The How

Learn about food-based climate solutions, including how we harvest meat from Gunhild A. Stordalen, MD, PhD.

  • Gunhild A. Stordalen, MD, PhD, Founder + Executive Chair, EAT

02:00 PM-02:35 PM

Action is the Antidote]

Call to action for mobilizing a broader diversity of Americans on climate.

  • Daphne Frias, Youth Organizer/Activist, Box The Ballot
  • Brionté McCorkle, Executive Director, Georgia Conservation Voters
  • Jasmine Sanders, Executive Director, Our Climate

02:35 PM-03:10 PM

The New Climate Conversation

Advancing a new narrative of solutions, benefits, hope and action. Hear from speakers on how they’re shifting the climate conversation for greater success.

  • Chandra Farley, CEO + Founder, ReSolve + The Good Energy Project
  • Amee Raval, Policy + Research Director, Asian Pacific Environmental Network
  • Rev. Carol Devine, Director, Blessed Tomorrow, ecoAmerica

03:15 PM-04:00 PM

American Climate Leadership Awards + Closing Keynote

Announcing the American Climate Leadership Award winners.

  • Vanessa Hauc, News Anchor; Director, Telemundo Network News; Telemundo News Planeta Tierra
  • Bill McKibben, Author, Educator, Environmentalist + Founder of 350.org
  • Bob Perkowitz, Founder + President, ecoAmerica

Secretary Granholm on American Clean Energy Leadership

Posted by Brad Johnson Wed, 16 Mar 2022 14:00:00 GMT

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm joins American clean energy industry leaders for a roundtable discussion. Watch live on Twitter or Facebook.

Clean Energy and National Security with Jason Crow and Tom Malinowski

Posted by Brad Johnson Tue, 15 Mar 2022 20:30:00 GMT

Join Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06), Rep. Tom Malinowski (NJ-07), former Assistant Secretary of Defense Sharon Burke, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy Admiral Dennis McGinn, and more foreign policy experts for a Climate Power, Foreign Policy for America, and League of Conservation Voters (LCV) event on clean energy and national security. Watch on Twitter or Facebook.

2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, Day 3

Posted by Brad Johnson Fri, 11 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Register for The 2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center

Day 3 Agenda

8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

Conference Facilitator Ms. Carolyn Sawyer Communications Strategist Tom Sawyer Company

9:00 a.m.—10:00 a.m.

PRESENTATION: THE EVOLVING PARK IDEA David Vassar and Sally Kaplan have spent a lifetime making films and video about the natural world, parks, and environmental issues. They will present and discuss three short film clips which illustrate the evolving mission of parks: the importance of equitable access, the growing need for urban parks and historic sites that represent diverse peoples, and the battle to preserve lands that remain sacred for Native Americans. Clips include an interview with Robert Garcia, founder of City Project.

David Vassar Sally Kaplan Producers Backcountry Pictures

10:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

PANEL: Closing the Infrastructure Gap for Those in Need: Accessing Engineering Consulting Services for Infrastructure Provision in Underserved Areas of the US and its territories.

Natalie Celmo Senior Program Engineer Community Engineering Corps employed by Engineers Without Borders USA

Ellie Carley Senior Program Coordinator Community Engineering Corps employed by Engineers Without Borders USA

11:00 a.m.—11:15 a.m.

Break

11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m.

PANEL: Resources, Tools, and Strategies to Promote Equitable Investments in Transportation Infrastructure.

James Schroll Senior Analyst Abt Associates

Nissa Tupper Transportation and Public Health Planner Minnesota Department of Transportation

Benito Perez Policy Director Transportation for America

Chris Forinash Principal Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates

12:15 p.m.—12:45 p.m.

BREAK

12:45 p.m.—2:00 p.m.

LUNCH

Introduction of Luncheon Keynote Speaker Dr. Kim Lambert Environmental Justice Coordinator U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

KEYNOTE REMARKS

Mike Martinez Deputy Assistant Secretary, Fish and Wildlife and Parks U.S. Department of the Interior

2:00 p.m.—2:15 p.m.

BREAK

2:15 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS:

USDA Forest Service Environmental Justice Mapping Program

Mark D. O. Adams Senior GIS Specialist Office of Sustainability and Climate (OSC) USDA Forest Service

Dixie Porter Deputy Director Office of Sustainability and Climate (OSC) USDA Forest Service Satellite Data for Environmental Justice: Advancing EJ Mapping Tools and Building a New Community of Practice

Lauren Johnson The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health

3:30 p.m.—4:00 p.m.

CLOSING REMARKS

Dr. Melinda Downing Environmental Justice Program Manager U.S. Department of Energy

Mr. Benjamin F. Wilson, Esq. Chairman, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. Chairman, Board of Directors, National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc.

Timothy Fields, Jr. Senior Vice President, MDB, Inc. Vice-Chairman, Board of Directors National Environmental Justice Conference, Inc.

DAY 3 – Friday, March 11, 2022 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

Grand Ballroom Salon E

9:30 a.m.—11:00 a.m.

Federal Title VI and Environmental Justice

This session will be a discussion with Federal civil rights offices engaged in Title VI enforcement and compliance work related to environmental and health programs receiving federal financial assistance.

Title VI Committee Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice

Daria Neal Deputy Chief, Federal Coordination & Compliance Section Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice

Lilian Dorka Director, External Civil Rights and Compliance Office U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Carla Carter Associate Deputy Director, Civil Rights Division in the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Amy Vance Title VI Coordinator, Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Yvette Rivera Associate Director for Equity and Access Division Departmental Office of Civil Rights U.S. Department of Transportation

Jacy Gaige FHEO Director of Compliance and Disability Rights U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

11:30 a.m.—12:45 p.m.

USDA Forest Service Conservation Education Strategy: Advancing Equity and Justice for All

The USDA Forest Service Conservation Education Program is developing a new Conservation Education Strategy to provide clear, agency-wide program direction, unifying how the Forest Service communicates the value and interdependence of Conservation Education while empowering delivery of programs that uplift our communities and partners. We aim to achieve a comprehensive strategy that advances equity and environmental justice for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent inequality. This session will engage participants in innovative thinking around the Forest Service’s new Conservation Education Strategy. We will review the draft strategy and engage in a small group discussions focused on how the FS and partners/communities can effectively collaborate in the advancement of equity and inclusion in Conservation Education programming.

John Crockett Associate Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry USDA Forest Service

Tinelle Bustam National Director USDA Forest Service Conservation Education

Rachel Bayer Environmental Education Specialist USDA Forest Service Conservation Education

Elaine Jackson-Retondo Program Manager Regional Preservation Partnership and History Department of The Interior Park Service

Amtchat Edwards Education Specialist USDA Forest Service Conservation Education

2:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m.

Incorporating Cumulative Risk into Tribal Risk Assessments

Tribal Nations are disproportionately affected by environmental issues, including contamination and climate impacts. Further, Tribes are a uniquely vulnerable population in the US, as Federal agencies have a Trust responsibility to Tribes, stemming from historical treaties, requiring government to government consultation, and the respecting of treaty rights (e.g., the right to hunt/fish/gather in usual and accustomed places). Tribal communities may be at greater risk of exposure to contamination than the general population because of dependence on the environment for sustenance (hunting, gathering, fishing); fixed boundaries of reservations (compounding the effects of shifting biological populations); and confounding equity issues (such as social and health inequities). For these reasons, risk assessments that do not consider the cumulative impacts of both contaminant and non-contaminant stressors will fail to fully characterize health risk to Tribal Nations.

The purpose of this workshop is to share examples, ideas, and considerations for incorporating cumulative risk into Tribal risk assessments. Through the presentation of case studies and facilitated discussions, the goal of this workshop is to provide a broader understanding of Tribal risk assessment and to stimulate discussion and engagement on this topic.

Beth Riess Associate Abt Associates

Michelle Krasnec, PhD Senior Scientist Abt Associates

2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, Day 2

Posted by Brad Johnson Thu, 10 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Register for The 2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center

Day 2 Agenda

8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

Conference Facilitator Ms. Carolyn Sawyer Communications Strategist Tom Sawyer Company

8:30 a.m.—9:15 a.m.

PANEL: Community and College Partners Program (C2P2): Developing Alternative Energy Options for Indigenous People in Tyonek, Alaska

Michael Burns Founder/Executive Director C2P2

Margaret McCurdy Graduate Student, Peace Engineering Program Drexel University Philadelphia, PA

Joan Nguyen Graduate Student, Peace Engineering Program Drexel University Philadelphia, PA

Kate Ryan Graduate Student, Peace Engineering Program Drexel University Philadelphia, PA

9:15 a.m.—9:55a.m.

Introduction of Keynote Speakers

Dr. Melinda Downing Environmental Justice Program Manager U.S. Department of Energy

KEYNOTE REMARKS

The Honorable James E. Clyburn Majority Whip (Democrat, 6th District, South Carolina)

The Honorable Jennifer Granholm Secretary U.S. Department of Energy

9:55 a.m.—10:05 a.m.

BREAK

10:05 a.m.—11:15 a.m.

PANEL: Estimating Disproportionate Impacts of Climate Change on Childhood Asthma Rates Among Socially Vulnerable Populations in the U.S.

Margaret Black Abt Associates

Stefani L. Penn Industrial Economics, Inc. (IEc)

Lauren E. Gentile U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Estimating the Benefits of Reduced Air Pollution During COVID-19 for Socially Vulnerable Populations in New York City.

David Cooley Abt Associates

11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m.

PANEL: USDA Forest Service’s Environmental Justice and Climate Change Related Topics.

Elisabeth Grinspoon, Ph.D. Environmental Justice and Technology Transfer Specialist Office of Sustainability and Climate USDA Forest Service

Dixie Porter Deputy Director Office of Sustainability and Climate (OSC)

USDA Forest Service

12:15 p.m.—12:30 p.m.

BREAK

12:30 p.m.—1:45 p.m.

LUNCH

Introduction of Luncheon Keynote Speaker

Dr. Melinda Downing Environmental Justice Program Manager U.S. Department of Energy

KEYNOTE REMARKS

The Honorable David Turk Deputy Secretary United States Department of Energy Washington, D.C.

1:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

BREAK

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS:

Approaches for Evaluating Environmental Justice Issues at the State Level

Lisa McDonald, PhD Senior Associate Abt Associates

Appliance Standards: The Best Climate Change Policy You’ve Never Heard Of

Madeline Parker Outreach & Coalition-Building Associate Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP)

3:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m.

PRESENTATIONS:

Bridging America’s Outdoor Equity Gap

Diane Regas President and CEO The Trust for Public Land

In Defense of a Greenspace: Students Discover Agency in the Practice of Community-Engaged Technical Communication

Bob Hyland Associate Professor University of Cincinnati

DAY 2 – Thursday, March 10, 2022 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

Grand Ballroom Salon E

10:00 a.m.–-11:00 a.m.

What’s in My Neighborhood? How Communities Can Use EPA’s TRI Toxics Tracker to Identify Industrial Sources of Toxic Chemical Releases and Other Waste Management Activities.

EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program provides a detailed, multimedia dataset covering annual releases and other waste management activities from over 20,000 facilities in the United States for hundreds of different toxic chemicals. EPA makes these data available to the public, which can help inform decision-making by government agencies, community groups, companies, and other stakeholders. This training workshop will provide users with a basic introduction to the TRI Program and what types of data and information are collected by the EPA, as well as a live demonstration of the online TRI Toxics Tracker tool. TRI Toxics Tracker can be used to answer a variety of questions all in one place, such as what toxic chemical releases are occurring in a particular community with EJ concerns and which facilities might be contributing to disproportionate releases potentially affecting nearby residents.

T.J. Pepping Abt Associates

11:15 a.m.—12:15 p.m.

Pragmatic Approaches: Reaching Students in Areas with Limited Broadband to Access College Education

Lack of broadband access is a limiting factor to academic advancement of a remarkable number of youths in rural areas in America and worldwide. It has been documented that in rural areas, nearly one-fourth of the population – 14.5 million people lack access to this service. In tribal areas, nearly one-third of the population lacks access. Even in areas where broadband is available, approximately 100 million Americans still do not subscribe (FCC 2022). Consequently, an outreach was conducted in a rural area (Marion) of South Carolina with ineffective or no access to broadband. Parents and their high schoolers were invited. During this event, we had on board from Allen University, officials from the admission office, financial aid office, the university counsellors, a faculty and one junior student from Allen University.

Application forms were already printed out and handed over to high schoolers during this outreach. Seven high school students completed the application form on the spot. The financial aid officer succeeded in assisting one of these seven students to complete her FAFSA right on the spot using our personal hotspot internet access provided at the outreach site. Application forms were given to the high school students that attended with the promise to share with their friends. It is uber-important for colleges to make concerted efforts in reaching suburbs with limited broadband access. Such that youths in these areas will not be left behind. This workshop intends to shed more light on pragmatic approaches employed to forestall bottlenecks encountered during the outreach.

Oluwole Ariyo, PhD Principal Investigator, Environmental Justice Institute Allen University

2:00 p.m.—4 p.m.

EJ & NEPA Workshop: Considering Cumulative Effects and EJ in the NEPA Process

Increasingly, decisionmakers are recognizing the importance of looking at projects in the context of prior impacts and developments within the community or region. Direct effects continue to be most important to decisionmakers, in part because they are more certain. Nonetheless, the importance of other environmental stressors requires the need to address cumulative impacts on environmental justice (EJ) populations. The purpose of the workshop is to increase understanding of cumulative effects consideration of environmental justice (EJ) populations in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process. The specific focus is the importance of understanding cumulative effects are caused by the aggregate of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions that, for many EJ populations, may last for many years beyond the life of the action that caused the effects. The goal is to provide an understanding of the principles of a cumulative effects analysis within Environmental Justice (EJ) communities.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published their Phase 1 revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Regulations which focused on a narrow set of changes to the 2020 regulations that restores some of the regulatory provisions from the 1978 NEPA Regulations. One of the changes restores the definition of “effects,” including use of the terms “direct,” “indirect,” and “cumulative” and removed potential limitations on effects analysis.

The NEPA Subcommittee of the White House Interagency Environmental Justice Council (WHEJAC) formally known as the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJ IWG), produced the “Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews” (Promising Practices Report) and address various methodologies for addressing effects within an EJ analysis and will be utilized in this session.

The workshop is designed to address the changes in NEPA regulations, provide expectations for cumulative effects analysis and provide case study examples for cumulative effects.

Denise C. Freeman Co-chair, NEPA Committee, WH EJ Interagency Council Senior Advisor/Communications Liaison Office of Legacy Management U.S. Department of Energy

Jomar Maldonado Director for NEPA Council on Environmental Quality Executive Office of the President

Carolyn L. Nelson, P.E. Co-chair, NEPA Committee, WH EJ Interagency Council Sr. Project Development/Environmental Specialist Office of Project Development and Environmental Review USDOT-Federal Highway Administration

2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, Day 1

Posted by Brad Johnson Wed, 09 Mar 2022 13:00:00 GMT

Register for The 2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center

Day 1 Agenda

YOUTH/EMERGING LEADERS SUMMIT

8:00 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Registration

Exhibit Hall Open

9:00 a.m.—9:30 a.m.

Welcome/Opening Remarks

Conference Facilitator Ms. Carolyn Sawyer Communications Strategist Tom Sawyer Company

Dr. Melinda Downing Environmental Justice Program Manager U.S. Department of Energy

9:30 a.m.—10:30 a.m.

PANEL: Virtual Environmental Justice Academy. Undergraduate students Sierra Generette and Justice Wright spent their Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters interning with the Mentorship for Environmental Scholars (MES) Program. Their internship focused on creating virtual Environmental Justice trainings to be delivered to middle and high school students. The results of this 10-week academic year internship formed the Pre-College University’s Virtual Environmental Justice Academy.

Clarence T. Brown Executive Director Pre-College University, Inc.

Sierra Generette Former Mentorship for Environmental Scholars (MES) Intern

Justice Wright Former Mentorship for Environmental Scholars (MES) Intern

Dave J. Wess Dean of Students Pre-College University, Inc.

10:30 a.m.—10:45 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.—12:45 p.m.

PANEL: Educate, Motivate, Innovate: Building the Next Generation of Environmental Justice Leaders (The Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice’s “Educate, Motivate and Innovate (EMI) Environmental Justice Initiative”).

OVERVIEW:

Joanna Mounce Stancil EMI Chair USDA Forest Service Washington, D.C.

EMI and CUPP Collaboration: CUPP is a unique program that coordinates partnerships between local colleges/universities with communities in need throughout the southeast. College and university students provide technical assistance, free of charge, to underserved communities through planned projects. CUPP has completed over 100 projects throughout the United States, obtaining several dedicated college/university and non-profit partners.

Jeannie Williamson EPA Region 4 College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP) Coordinator

PRESENTATION: Redlining and Environmental Justice: Identifying the roots of Child Health Vulnerabilities to Climate Change. This presentation will explore how children’s environmental health disparities correlate with the historical practices of redlining and provide valuable insight on the structural roots of environmental health disparities, in the context of climate change.

Dr. Leslie Isadore Rubin Director of Break the Cycle Program Southeastern Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit

Devon Nenon Undergraduate Student (Junior) Major: Sustainability Studies University of Florida

PRESENTATION: Georgia State University Students Assist Duck Hill, Mississippi Citizens Stay Informed About Their Community. The Georgia State University’s Computer Information System’s Department partnered with the Montgomery Citizens United for Prosperity (MCUP) to assist the Duck Hill community build a digital presence on the Internet. The presentation will show how the webpage will benefit the community.

Alicia Gholar Computer Information Systems Georgia State University

Romona Taylor Williams Executive Director Mississippi Communities United for Prosperity

Carelis Zambrano Bellorin Major: Computer Information Systems Georgia State University

PRESENTATION: Kentucky State University Assists in Preparing Educational Products for Low-income Communities in Kentucky. Kentucky’s Division of Water has partnered with Kentucky State University under the CUPP program to assist in developing easily accessible, easily interpreted educational documents for the lead testing in drinking water program. This presentation will show the research conducted by student to prepare these documents for use in low-income communities within the state.

Gabriel Tanner Kentucky Division of Water

Kabita Paudel Graduate Student, Master of Science in Environmental Studies Major: Environmental studies (GIS, Remote Sensing) Kentucky State University

PRESENTATION: Tech for Environmental Justice: BEEnevolent Hive and Mobile Application. The audience will learn about the plight of the honeybees and technological solutions for the honeybees. The audience will also learn about a tool for environmental reporting, environmental justice education and connectivity.

Sade Shofidiya Graduate Student Major: Public Administration – Museum Administration Savannah State University

12:45 p.m.—1:00 p.m.

Break

1:00 p.m.—2:30 p.m.

Lunch

Luncheon Speaker:

Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis Executive VP of Academic Affairs Oakland University Lake Angelus, MI

Sunrise Community Care Network Call: Reconciling Conflict

Posted by Brad Johnson Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:30:00 GMT

Join members from the CHAT (Community Healing, Accountability and Transformation) and SJ (Survivor Justice) teams as they share key concepts and takeaways from the books Conflict is Not Abuse and Nonviolent Communication. Think of it as a virtual book club, where you don’t have to read the books!

Using these texts as a starting place, we will learn about concepts like self-empathy, the impulse to escalate, and apply these teachings to ways we can hold ourselves and our communities accountable for reconciling conflict in positive ways—so we don’t end up treating each other the way we treat Joe Manchin!

Join us to get a better understanding of these acclaimed books, think about different perspectives of conflict, and apply these concepts to working through conflict together!

The F-List Awards

Posted by Brad Johnson Wed, 02 Mar 2022 17:00:00 GMT

Join leading voices in the ad and PR industry, plus influencers, creators, and more in a night to remember the work agencies would rather forget. We’re handing out 10 awards to ads, campaigns, and agencies that promote the fossil fuel companies that are most responsible for the climate crisis.

Tune in to the show on March 2 to learn who is doing the dirty work, and how you can be a part of the solution for our industry.

Speakers:
  • Rollie Williams, Host, Climate Town
  • Tolmeia Gregory, Climate Justice Activist
  • Bill McKibben, Author, Environmentalist, Activist
  • Deb Morrison, U Oregon Professor of Advertising
  • Colin Vernon, Co-founder & CIO, Slow Factory
  • Max Moinian, Co-Founder, Future Earth Catalog
  • Thania Peck, Sustainability Activist, * Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., President and Founder, Hip Hop Caucus
  • Solitaire Townsend, Chief Solutionist, Futerra

Black Leaders on Environmental Justice and Beyond

Posted by Brad Johnson Thu, 24 Feb 2022 18:00:00 GMT


Black communities throughout the nation have led on environmental justice for years. While at the same time they have also been most impacted by environmental malpractice, pollution, and injustice. The environmental movement has historically excluded the voices of Black leaders, even when policies and practices are directly affecting their livelihoods and communities. Today many are still fighting for a transformation of the environmental movement to prioritize funding and opportunities for justice for Black communities.

Join Green 2.0 and Hip Hop Caucus for a discussion with Black leaders in the environmental sector about what needs to happen to move the needle in our mission to achieve justice and equity in the environmental movement.

Register here

Speakers:
  • Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ill.)
  • Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr., Hip Hop Caucus
  • Raviya Ismail, Green 2.0
  • Eddie Love, Ocean Foundation
  • Karen T. Campblin, Fairfax County NAACP
  • Corina Newsome, Wildlife conservationist
  • Latresse Snead, Bonsai Leadership Group LLC

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