Hill Heat

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