Virtual Public Meeting
The meeting discussion will focus on the beta version of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool developed by the Council on Environmental Quality and the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council draft recommendations on the implementation of the Justice40 Initiative. These two charges were established through Executive Order 14008 Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.
The WHEJAC is interested in receiving public comments relevant to the beta version of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and federal government agencies’ implementation of the Justice40 Initiative.
Please be prepared to briefly describe your comments and recommendations on what you want the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council to advise the Council on Environmental Quality and the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council to do regarding the beta version of the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool and federal government agencies’ implementation of the Justice40 Initiative.
Members of the public who wish to participate during the public comment period must pre-register by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, March 23, 2022.
Register for the WHEJAC public meeting
Read the Draft Agenda for the WHEJAC public meeting
The WHEJAC will hear from as many registered public commenters as possible during the time specified on the agenda. Written comments can be submitted up to two (2) weeks after the meeting date. To participate in the meeting via written comment, the public can submit their written comments in the following ways:- Entering comments in the Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OA-2021-0683 at http://www.regulations.gov, when the docket opens.
- Using the webform
- Sending comments via email to [email protected], for comments with additional materials.
State Climate Policy Network national call
Join us for our monthly State Climate Policy Network national call! This one-hour, once-a-month call is the perfect opportunity to learn about the different legislation and movements going on in states across the U.S. Legislators, advocates, and experts will join us and inform the network of what is going on in their state, and what you might be able to do to help.
Please register and spread the word to others interested in pushing forward climate policy in their state, and read more about the SCPN here.
American Climate Leadership Summit, Day Three: National Health and Climate Forum
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
National Health + Climate Forum Welcome + Opening Keynote- Robbianne Mackin, Chief Development Officer, ecoAmerica
- Leyla McCurdy, MPhil, Chair, Climate for Health Leadership Circle Executive Committee
- Arthur C. Evans, Jr., PhD, CEO, American Psychological Association
11:20 AM-11:45 AM
US Leadership on Climate + Health: The Office of Climate Change & Health Equity at HHS
The Department of Health and Human Services announced the formation of the Office of Climate Change & Health Equity in summer 2021. Hear more about the goals and agenda for this office and some early accomplishments.
- John Balbus, MD, MPH, Interim Director, Office of Climate Change + Health Equity, Office Asst. Secretary for Health, HHS
- J Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, President + CEO, Trust for America’s Health
11:50 AM-12:20 PM
Where we are on Climate, Health + Equity: Tools from The Lancet Countdown
It has been 5 months since the 2021 Lancet Countdown U.S. Brief was released. How are we operationalizing the findings to build health equity through climate solutions? What indicators should be considered for the 2022 brief?
- Natasha DeJarnett, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Division of Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville
- Renee Salas, MD, MPH, MS, Lead Author; 2021 Lancet Countdown U.S. Brief, Lancet Countdown; Harvard Global Health Institute
12:20 PM-12:50 PM
From Federal Framing to Local Action
Community leadership, citizen-science, and grassroots advocacy to address the health impacts of climate change. Hear directly from Houston residents collaborating for action.
- Grace Tee Lewis, PhD, Senior Health Scientist, Environmental Defense Fund
- Denae King, PhD, Associate Director, Bullard Center for Environmental + Climate Justice at Texas Southern University
- Joetta Stevenson, President, Greater Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood #55
12:55 PM-01:10 PM
Natural Connections: Collaboration with the Environment
Restoring relationships with the natural world benefits both people and the planet. An example of the intersection of Anishinaabe teachings and Western ways of knowing in the healing process.
- Leah Prussia, Associate Professor, College of St. Scholastica
01:10 PM-02:00 PM
Mental Health + Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Inequities, Responses
In this session, hear from the authors of this report and the latest tools and resources for practitioners, communities, and policymakers to address mental health impacts of climate change.
- Susan Clayton, PhD, Professor of Psychology, The College of Wooster
- Christie Manning, PhD, Director of Sustainability; Assistant Professor, Macalester College
- Gavin Rienne, MPH, Epidemiology + Biostatistics PhD Candidate, University of Kentucky
- Derrick Sebree, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, Michigan School of Psychology
02:00 PM-02:10 PM
Networking Session
02:10 PM-02:35 PM
Climate Action: Local Health Leadership
Think globally, act locally is advice we hear often, but what does that look like for climate action that improves health and health equity?
- Madelyn Gustafson, Project Coordinator, National Environmental Health Association
- Armen Henderson, MD, MBA, Co-Founder, Dade County Street Response, Disaster Relief Team
- Nichole Lemin, MS, REHS, MEP, Assistant Health Commissioner/Director of Environmental Health, Franklin County Public Health
02:35 PM-02:50 PM
Climate Change + Disabilities: Collaboration with the Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Over 61 million Americans have a disability and more than 1 billion do world-wide. People with disabilities need to be engaged at every level of climate justice.
- Meighen Speiser, Executive Director, ecoAmerica
- Liz Weintraub, Senior Advocacy Specialist + Host of Tuesdays W/ Liz: Disability Policy for ALL, AUCD
02:50 PM-03:25 PM
Reports from the Field: Direct from Climate for Health Ambassadors
Get to know your host, Climate for Health, through this session that will outline the opportunities for you to act and advocate with tools and resources provided through our program. Hear directly from Climate for Health Ambassadors about their actions to engage communities, peers, and policymakers on equitable climate solutions.
- Milagros Elia, MA, APRN, ANP-BC, Nurse Founder/CEO, M. Elia Nature-Based Healthcare Solutions
- Kasondra McCracken, MCHES, Senior Lecturer, Arizona State University
- Sydney Otis, Network Engagement Manager, ecoAmerica
- April Taylor, Tribal Liaison, Chickasaw Nation
- Gregory White, Director, Decatur Active Living, City of Decatur
03:25 PM-03:35 PM
Caring for Yourself to Care for the Planet
Engaging with our climate emergency can feel overwhelming at times. To do our best work, we all need to prioritize self-care every day.
- Bruce Bekkar, MD, Chair, Public Health Advisory Council of the Climate Action Campaign
03:35 PM-03:55 PM
Looking Forward: Onwards for Climate and Health
Looking forward on climate and health, Natasha Sood, Executive Chair of Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, will provide remarks followed by a dialogue and live audience Q&A with Katherine Catalano, Deputy Director of the American Public Health Association’s Center for Climate, Health and Equity.
- Katherine Catalano, MS, Deputy Director, Center for Climate, Health + Equity, American Public Health Association
- Natasha Sood, MPH, Co-Founder, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future
04:00 PM-05:00 PM
How to Build Programs + Policies that Equitably Address Climate’s Health Effects
Connect with experts to dive into step-by-step playbooks detailing city strategies that address “the trifecta” of climate, health, and equity. Strategies highlighted were designed to give all children a healthy, fair start to life — no matter their socioeconomic status or their zip code — and to be easily replicated for maximum impact. To celebrate the end of a long Zoom day, we will be bringing our coffee and our creativity. Join us! Organized by Healthy Babies Bright Futures and the National League of Cities.
- Robert Blaine, DMA, Senior Executive + Director, Institute for Youth, Education, and Families, National League of Cities
- Emily Koo, Director of Sustainability, City of Providence, Rhode Island
- Emily Larson, Mayor, City of Duluth, Minnesota
- Linda Rudolph, MD, MPH, Sr Advisor Climate, Health + Equity, Public Health Institute; MSCCH
American Climate Leadership Summit, Day Two
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
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
Clean Energy and National Security with Jason Crow and Tom Malinowski
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
Register for The 2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center
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
Register for The 2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center
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
Register for The 2022 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center
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