The topic of climate change often brings to mind images of melting glaciers and starving polar bears. For too long we’ve failed to connect the direct impact of environmental injustices, including climate change, on our lives, families, and communities.
The effects of climate change are widespread: people die from exposure to toxins from coal fired power plants and are sickened from breathing toxic ask from mountain top removal. Drought and flooding impact the availability of nutritious food and increase the likelihood that those in flood-prone cities will lose their homes and livelihoods. And communities of color and low-income communities are usually hit the hardest.
At Netroots Nation next month, we’re hosting a plenary session—the first on the subject we’ve ever hosted—on the intersection of climate change and environmental justice.
Are you planning to join us in St. Louis? If you haven’t yet registered, get your ticket now.
This keynote conversation is scheduled for Friday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m., and you aren’t going to want to miss this lineup.
You’ll hear from Tom Steyer, president of NextGen Climate; Jacqui Patterson, director of the NAACP’s Environmental and Climate Justice Program; Green for All Executive Director Vien Truong; and Anthony Rogers-Wright of Environmental Action as they discuss what needs to happen to stem the effects of climate change for our most vulnerable communities.
This issue is so critical. I hope you’ll be there to listen and learn from these powerful speakers.
About The Author
Mary
Communications director of Netroots Nation and Netroots Foundation.