Registration and Coffee

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Ju-Don Marshall WFAE

From the Frontlines: Climate and Indigenous Communities

In this keynote conversation, we’ll hear from Donna Chavis, an environmental justice leader and member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Chavis will talk about the toll climate change is taking on Indigenous communities and her more than 40-year fight for action and policies to stem it.

Donna Chavis Founder and Convenor / RedTailed Hawk Collective

Ely Portillo WFAE

In the Eye of the Storm: Climate Change in the Carolinas

The Carolinas are among the most vulnerable regions in the United States to the effects of climate change. From sea-level rise to extreme weather events, the impacts of climate change are already being felt in this region. We talk to experts to understand the effects of climate change and environmental concerns across the two states, […]

Bobby Jones President / Down East Coal Ash Environmental and Social Justice Coalition

Danna Smith Founder and Executive Director / Dogwood Alliance

Faith Rivers James Executive Director / Coastal Conservation League

Mike Collins Host / WFAE

Roderick "Rod" M. Rejesus Professor and Extension Specialist / Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University

Coffee Break and Poster Session

Addison Hitt Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Novel biobased ionic liquid antibiotics: Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation

Griffen Gonzalez Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Jaron Hull Graduate Student Research at Johnson C. Smith University / On the Intersection of Urban Gardening and Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health

Kyle McGuff Project Manager at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Rahinatou Dabone Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Rashawna Huntley Undergraduate Research at Johnson C. Smith University / Reflections on Water Monitoring Strategies in the Irwin Creek Watershed of West Charlotte with an update on the formulation of a Collegiate and Community Based Water Monitoring Program

Theodore Castro Graduate Research / Building Capacity for a Local Food System in West Charlotte through Collaborative Partnerships in Urban Sustainable Agriculture

From the Capital to Communities: Inside State and Local Climate Policy

 We’ll look at how state and local policies are evolving to address climate change in our communities and what impact do community members have in shaping those policies.

Bailey Recktenwald Climate Change Policy Advisor / North Carolina Office of the Governor

Jennifer Watson Roberts 58th Mayor of Charlotte / City of Charlotte

Kirsten Lackstrom Program Manager / South Carolina Office of Resilience

Nick de la Canal On-air host, reporter / WFAE

Sarah Hazel Chief Sustainability and Resiliency Officer / City of Charlotte

A Special Lunchtime Greeting and Poster Session

Addison Hitt Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Novel biobased ionic liquid antibiotics: Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation

Griffen Gonzalez Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Jaron Hull Graduate Student Research at Johnson C. Smith University / On the Intersection of Urban Gardening and Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health

Kyle McGuff Project Manager at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Rahinatou Dabone Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Rashawna Huntley Undergraduate Research at Johnson C. Smith University / Reflections on Water Monitoring Strategies in the Irwin Creek Watershed of West Charlotte with an update on the formulation of a Collegiate and Community Based Water Monitoring Program

Theodore Castro Graduate Research / Building Capacity for a Local Food System in West Charlotte through Collaborative Partnerships in Urban Sustainable Agriculture

Climate Action at Work: The Town of Boone, Catawba College and Historic West End Green District Case Studies

Boone, Catawba College and the Historic West End are three very different examples of climate action at work. We’ll talk to each of them about how they’ve tackled the sustainability challenge and what they’ve learned along the way.

George Santucci Sustainability and Special Projects Manager / Town of Boone

Jeffrey Robbins Executive Director / CleanAIRE NC

Jennifer Lang WFAE

Lee Ball Executive Director of the Center for the Environment / Catawba College

Ron Ross Community leader and citizen scientist / Northwood Estates Community Organization

Coffee Break and Poster Session

Addison Hitt Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Novel biobased ionic liquid antibiotics: Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation

Griffen Gonzalez Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Jaron Hull Graduate Student Research at Johnson C. Smith University / On the Intersection of Urban Gardening and Therapeutic Interventions in Mental Health

Kyle McGuff Project Manager at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Rahinatou Dabone Undergraduate Research at Queens University of Charlotte / Queens as a living laboratory: Ethanol and biodiesel use in campus equipment

Rashawna Huntley Undergraduate Research at Johnson C. Smith University / Reflections on Water Monitoring Strategies in the Irwin Creek Watershed of West Charlotte with an update on the formulation of a Collegiate and Community Based Water Monitoring Program

Theodore Castro Graduate Research / Building Capacity for a Local Food System in West Charlotte through Collaborative Partnerships in Urban Sustainable Agriculture

Beyond the Headlines: The Role of Climate Journalism in Shaping Public Awareness

In this session, we hear from veteran climate journalists about their experiences covering the climate crisis, the impact of their work on public awareness and policy and the important stories they feel they are missing. The audience will have an opportunity to share with the journalists what they feel is missing from climate coverage. 

Celeste Gracia Environment Reporter / WUNC

Ely Portillo WFAE

Jack Igelman Environment Reporter / Carolina Public Press

Lisa Sorg Environment, climate change and energy reporter / NC Newsline

Sammy Fretwell Environment Reporter / The State

From Information to Action: Exploring Climate Solutions

The panel will share insights about climate solutions, such as renewable energy, electric vehicles and solar. We’ll also hear about grassroots efforts that have had a positive impact in communities.    RESOURCES FROM THE PANEL:  

Chris Davis Fleet Manager / City of Charlotte Department of Transportation

Eboné M. Lockett Founder and CEO / Harvesting Humanity LLC

John Sheldon Director of New Business Capabilities / Renu Energy Solutions

Mark Dugo CRES Director / Center for Renewable Energy & Sustainability at Johnson C. Smith University

Shannon Binns Founder and Executive Director / Sustain Charlotte

Zachary Turner Climate Reporter / WFAE

Closing Remarks and Adjournment