Atheists and Local MN Leaders Host Environmental Justice Summit
Contact:
Sarah Henry, (202) 238-9088 ext. 105, shenry@americanhumanist.org
(Minneapolis, MN, May 13, 2019) – The American Humanist Association (AHA) is hosting a summit focused on the impact of planetary degradation and climate change. This free, one-day event is part of the AHA’s just-launched Humanist Environmental Response Effort (HERE) for Climate. HERE for Climate empowers humanists and others to make a difference on climate change.
When: Saturday, May 18, 2019 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm CDT.
Where: First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, 900 Mount Curve Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Who: Climate Justice: A Better Future for Us All will be hosted by the American Humanist Association Director of Education, Kristin Wintermute. The day will feature a number of keynote speakers, including Bailey Webster, Food Hub Director at the Hmong American Farmers Association, Ben Passer, Fresh Energy’s Director of Energy Access and Equity, Catherine Fleming, a member of the City of Minneapolis’ Green Zone Task Force and the Environmental Justice Coordinating Council, Mysti Babineau, MN350’s Climate Justice Organizer, Timothy DenHerder-Thomas, General Manager of Cooperative Energy Futures, and Vishnu Laalitha Surapaneni, a member of Health Professionals for Healthy Climate. The day-long event will also include a panel of organizers from iMatter Youth and Climate Generation.
Why: The 21st century brought enormous development, globalization and economic expansion to our world. Unfortunately, that rapid growth has come with a massive environmental cost: rising temperatures and sea levels, water shortages, increased severity of storms, exposure to toxins, lack of affordable nutritious food in every community, and so much more. Global environmental degradation affects everyone, but it impacts people of color, the global poor, Indigenous citizens and other marginalized groups most acutely. These disenfranchised populations are often hit the hardest by climate injustice, as they lack the resources and political power to overcome its grave consequences.
Climate Justice: A Better Future for Us All will build a narrative on the human right to a safe and habitable environment, and the challenges posed by over consumption and a rapidly industrializing world. Panel members will share stories and creative solutions to address the degradation of our environment and the inequalities within our communities. This event is part of the AHA Center for Education’s Open Lecture Series, which brings together unique perspectives on topics related to humanism.
Learn more about Climate Justice: A Better Future for Us All here.
Learn more about HERE for Climate here.
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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.