Worldwide Climate Justice Teach-In: DC

Join the DC area colleges and universities for this D.C. wide Teach – In. Each campus will host their own speakers for the first two sessions between 4-6PM. The final session will bring together the D.C. Universities for a livestream panel, hosted at GW. Each session will involve lightning speeches lasting only 5 minutes in length followed by Q&A and discussion.

Register for in-person attendance at GW

Register for virtual attendance

Session 1, 4-5PM

Student Center Room 402 – Education

Student Center Room 404 – Public Health I – Air Quality

Student Center Room 405 – Advocacy

Student Center Room 407 – Walking Tour of Campus Sustainability

Engage with speakers from: GW UNESCO, The Nature Conservancy, Smithsonian Science Education Center, Alliance for the Chesapeake, D.C. Council, DOEE, D.C. Sierra Club, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, GW Office of Sustainability, GW Faculty

Session 2, 5-6PM

Student Center Room 402 – Resilience and Mental Health

Student Center Room 404 – Public Health II

Student Center Room 405 – Energy and Environmental

Student Center Room 407 – Student Groups

Engage with speakers from: Planet Forward, Environmental Justice Action Network, Sunrise GW, New Columbia Solar, GW VegOut, Medical Students for a Sustainable Future, Duke Solar, GW Faculty

Session 3, 6-7PM

The final hour will consist of a webinar streamed on each participating campus, live from the Jack Morton Amphitheater at GW. Representatives from each university will give a 5 minute presentation on a climate focused initiative or research project.

Post – Event 7-8PM

MPA Art Gallery – Light refreshments will be served

Sustainable GW
District of Columbia
03/30/2022 at 04:00PM

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:

White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
03/30/2022 at 03:00PM

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.

Climate Xchange
03/30/2022 at 03:00PM

Markup of Post-Disaster Mental Health Response Act, Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act, other legislation, and nominations

Hearing page

Meeting agenda

  • S.3677, to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide professional counseling services to victims of emergencies declared under such Act, Post-Disaster Mental Health Response Act
  • S.3875, to require the President to develop and maintain products that show the risk of natural hazards across the United States, Community Disaster Resilience Zones Act of 2022
  • S.3868, to correct the inequitable denial of enhanced retirement and annuity benefits to certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers, an original bill entitled, “Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act”
  • S.3890, to improve intergovernmental cooperation and reduce duplicative spending
  • S.3511, to require a report on Federal support to the cybersecurity of commercial satellite systems
  • S.3903, to require the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish procedures for conducting maintenance projects at ports of entry at which the Office of Field Operations conducts certain enforcement and facilitation activities
  • S.857, to amend title 5, United States Code, to require the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to establish and maintain a public directory of the individuals occupying Government policy and supporting positions
  • S.3655, to amend the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act of 2018 to extend the termination date of the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Review Board
  • S.3904, to enhance the cybersecurity of the Healthcare and Public Health Sector
  • S.3897, to require the reduction of the reliance and expenditures of the Federal Government on legacy information technology systems
  • Various bills to name post offices

Nominations of

  • Ernest W. DuBester, of Virginia, to be a Member, and Kurt Thomas Rumsfeld, of Maryland, to be General Counsel, both of the Federal Labor Relations Authority
  • Krista Anne Boyd, of Florida, to be Inspector General, Office of Personnel Management
  • Dana Katherine Bilyeu, of Nevada, Javier E. Saade, of the District of Columbia, Leona M. Bridges, of California, Michael F. Gerber, of Pennsylvania, and Stacie Olivares, of California, each to be a Member of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
342 Dirksen

03/30/2022 at 11:00AM

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
EcoAmerica
03/30/2022 at 11:00AM

Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021

Hearing page

Witnesses

Panel I

  • Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs

Panel II

  • Kristina Keenan, Associate Director, National Legislative Service, Veterans of Foreign Wars
  • Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director, Disabled American Veterans
  • Christopher Slawinski, National Executive Director, Fleet Reserve Association
Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
418 Russell

03/29/2022 at 03:30PM

National Wildlife Refuge and Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Legislation

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET, in room 1324 Longworth House Office Building and Cisco WebEx, the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife will hold a legislative hearing on the following bills:

  • H.R. 6427 (Rep. Mike Johnson, R-LA) To amend the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Act to modify the boundary of the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, and for other purposes. Red River National Wildlife Refuge Boundary Modification Act.
  • H.R. 6734 (Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY) A bill to amend the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 to reauthorize the volunteer services, community partnership, and refuge education programs of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and for other purposes. Keep America’s Refuges Operational Act of 2022.
  • H.R. 7025 (Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-AZ) To prohibit the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from funding entities that commit, fund, or support gross violations of internationally recognized human rights, and for other purposes. Advancing Human Rights-Centered International Conservation Act of 2022.
House Natural Resources Committee
   Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee
1324 Longworth

03/29/2022 at 02:00PM

Driving Tomorrow: EVs & AVs

Climate change, rapid advances in technology and the drive for innovation are leading to a big shift in the world of automobiles.

The Biden Administration has set a target that by 2030, half of new passenger vehicle sales will be zero-emissions, making electric vehicles a norm rather than an exception. And smart, autonomous vehicles powered by AI could further transform driving culture.

As batteries, chips and electric charging stations become more vital, how can we design an infrastructure framework with sustainability in mind? What new skills will the workforce need to develop? How do we make electric vehicles affordable and accessible to all drivers? And can autonomous vehicles pave the way to safer roads?

RSVP

Speakers:

  • Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI), Commerce, Science & Transportation Subcmte. on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports
  • Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH), Republican Leader, Energy & Commerce Subcmte. on Communications & Technology
  • Everette Bacon, Member, Board of Directors, National Federation of the Blind
  • Marc Bedard, CEO, Lion Electric
  • Cathy Chase, President, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety
  • Eric Danko, Director, Federal Affairs, Cruise
  • Toks Omishakin, Director, California Department of Transportation
  • Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan
  • Jessika Trancik, Professor, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Cathy Zoi, CEO, EVgo
The Hill
03/29/2022 at 01:00PM

Tags: