Climate REDI
We are tackling climate justice
As an organization, we recognize the lack of diversity, inclusiveness, and representation within the environmental movement. In order to effectively tackle the climate crisis, which disproportionately affects marginalized, rural and communities of color, we need to build a powerful movement that crosses racial, economic, and geographic divides.
To address this issue, we recently launched our Climate REDI program to create greater Representation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the climate movement.
We believe that in order to combat the climate crisis, we must be REDI; we must build a movement that is centered on Representation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Solidarity Symposium 2020
Join (videos below) a diverse panel of experts for a 4-part web series to discuss the connection between the climate and health crisis, addressing inequalities, and how we can stand together to fight for change. Throughout the discussion, we answered questions and used interactive audience polls. Each webinar included a discussion on how the climate and health crisis intersects with social justice issues including education, immigration, elections, and the economy.
The Intersection of Climate and Health Crisis
The COVID pandemic drew attention to the flaws and inequities in our healthcare system and made it obvious that the US, and the world, are not prepared to respond to a global-level pandemic. At the same time, we are entering a climate crisis that is beyond comprehension – one that the US, and the world, are also not adequately prepared to address. COVID-19 brought the world to its knees and increasing air pollution has made people more susceptible to respiratory infections, such as COVID. Similar to COVID, climate change is disproportionately impacting marginalized communities and communities of color. As climate change worsens, we are likely to see more pandemics that will further cripple our struggling healthcare systems and deepen the inequities that already exist.
Panelists:
Our Sponsors:
First Tuesday Action Group
Healthcare for All Colorado Foundation
Herbal Gardens Wellness
System Change Not Climate Change – Colorado
The Climate Mobilization – Colorado
Our Revolution Denver
The intersection of climate and elections
Participation in free and fair elections becomes complicated when people have to maintain social distance rules. It is increasingly difficult to count, verify or collect ballots while maintaining social distance rules to protect health and safety. Wisconsin recently saw an increase in COVID cases following in-person elections. In addition, extreme and unpredictable weather can create difficulties for people to get to the polls – waiting outside a polling center in the heat/cold, or waiting inside with poor ventilation systems will create undue risk for thousands of people. Reductions in polling hours, locations and resources usually affect marginalized and communities of color as we recently witnessed in Georgia. How do we create fair, equitable and accessible elections as we move into an age of increased vulnerability to climate change and more pandemics?
Panelists:
Colorado Secretary of State – Jena GriswoldDenver County Clerk & Recorder – Paul LópezState ACLU Public Policy Director – Denise MaesAmanda Gonzalez, Executive Director Colorado Common CauseJoe Salazar – Exec. Dir. Colorado Rising (Moderator)
Our Sponsors:
Our Revolution Metro Denver
Healthcare for All Colorado Foundation
Herbal Gardens Wellness
System Change Not Climate Change – Colorado
The Climate Mobilization – Colorado
Colorado Working Families Party
Colorado Common Cause
Indivisible CD6
Protect our Winters
Participation in free and fair elections becomes complicated when people have to maintain social distance rules. It is increasingly difficult to count, verify or collect ballots while maintaining social distance rules to protect health and safety. Wisconsin recently saw an increase in COVID cases following in-person elections. In addition, extreme and unpredictable weather can create difficulties for people to get to the polls – waiting outside a polling center in the heat/cold, or waiting inside with poor ventilation systems will create undue risk for thousands of people. Reductions in polling hours, locations and resources usually affect marginalized and communities of color as we recently witnessed in Georgia. How do we create fair, equitable and accessible elections as we move into an age of increased vulnerability to climate change and more pandemics?
Panelists:
Our Sponsors:
Healthcare for All Colorado Foundation
Herbal Gardens Wellness
System Change Not Climate Change – Colorado
The Climate Mobilization – Colorado
Colorado Working Families Party
Colorado Common Cause
Indivisible CD6
Protect our Winters
The intersection of climate and immigration
The worsening climate crisis will create millions of climate refugees around the globe; climate catastrophes in the US will leave many people, including undocumented residents, without homes, jobs, or a way to access healthcare. Marginalized and communities of color will be disproportionately impacted by climate change, as we witnessed during the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Contagious diseases during a time of crisis leading to mass migration have the potential to increase the spread of pandemics. Undocumented residents are also less likely to have access to, or to be able to obtain, healthcare services, treatment or medication for fear of deportation. Our immigrant populations are also forced to continue working on farms, ranches, and in meatpacking plants where they have been exposed to and have died from COVID. How do we re-shape our approach to immigration while navigating an ongoing climate and health crisis?
Panelists:
Julie Gonalzes – Colorado State Senator SD 34Belén Sisa – Student Organizer, Bernie Sanders Staffer Maria Monclova – Immigration and Family Law AttorneySarah Jackson – Executive Director Casa de PazCarlos Valverde – Moderator
Our Sponsors:
Julie Gonalzes – Colorado State Senator SD 34Belén Sisa – Student Organizer, Bernie Sanders Staffer Maria Monclova – Immigration and Family Law AttorneySarah Jackson – Executive Director Casa de PazCarlos Valverde – Moderator
Panelists:
Our Sponsors:
The intersection of climate and Education
The COVID pandemic exposed how vulnerable our education system is to unexpected disruption. Entire school districts, teachers and staff members, students, and parents were not prepared for a sudden shift to educating from home instead of the classroom.With a second wave of COVID expected this fall, schools will have to function differently in order to provide a quality education that maintains safety for students, teachers and staff. Yet, many students in rural and underserved communities may not have consistent or stable internet access or home computers, in order to access online learning. Similar to COVID and the impacts of climate change, cuts to funding and resources for our schools disproportionately impact marginalized communities and communities of color. With the potential for more pandemics and unpredictable weather extremes that may cause unexpected school closures, how do we build a resilient and equitable education system in the age of global pandemics and climate chaos?
Panelists:
Stephany Rose Spaulding – Professor and Chair of Women’s and Ethnic Studies at UCCSJennifer Bacon – VP, DPS Board of EducationKevin Cox – VP of Aurora Public Schools Board of EducationTay Anderson – Director of DPSB (Moderator)
Our Sponsors:
Extinction Rebellion BoulderBoulder CANThe Climate Mobilization – ColoradoChange the System, Not the Climate (community level)Herbal Gardens Wellness (501c3) Progressive Democrats of AmericaPDA Colorado
Panelists:
Our Sponsors:
colonialism is a current ongoing process
Land acknowledgement
We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and future, and to all those who have stewarded the land, air, and water for generations.
We affirm that this acknowledgment expresses our commitment to protect the health, safety, quality of life, and future of vibrant Indigenous communities from the injustices of environmental racism along with the exploitation of their precious lands while upholding their sacred relation to our delicate environment.