Summit Schedule

April 18, 2024 9:00 am - 9:30 am Atrium

Registration and Coffee

April 18, 2024 9:30 am - 9:45 am Auditorium

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Ju-Don Marshall WFAE
April 18, 2024 9:45 am - 10:30 am Auditorium

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
April 18, 2024 10:30 am - 11:20 am Auditorium

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
April 18, 2024 11:20 am - 11:35 am Atrium

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
April 18, 2024 11:35 am - 12:20 pm Auditorium

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.   RESOURCES FROM THE PANEL: Jennifer Roberts Strategic Energy Action Plan (SEAP)- https://community.charlottenc.gov/pages/seap-dashboard Kirsten Lackstrom The Palmetto Air Quality Collaborative (PAQC)- https://scor.sc.gov/paqc The SC Solar For All […]

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
April 18, 2024 12:20 pm - 1:20 pm Atrium

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
April 18, 2024 1:20 pm - 2:05 pm Auditorium

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
April 18, 2024 2:05 pm - 2:20 pm Atrium

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
April 18, 2024 2:20 pm - 3:05 pm Auditorium

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
April 18, 2024 3:05 pm - 3:50 pm Auditorium

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: Eboné Lockett Harvesting Humanity PowerPoint Presentation- 4.16.04 Harvesting Humanity John Sheldon Renu Energy Solutions Slide: WFAE Carolinas Climate Summit 2024 […]

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
April 18, 2024 3:50 pm - 4:00 pm Auditorium

Closing Remarks and Adjournment

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