The 16th Annual Grassroots Environmental Conference: Building Advocacy & Action to Achieve a Just Transition
Presented The University of Memphis and the Sierra Club
Saturday, October 5 at the University Center; 9am - 2:30pm
- Download the Full Conference Program (PDF file)
- Registration Information
- Parking and Directions
- Keynote
- Climate Crisis Art Competition
- Sponsors
- On Social Media
This is the 16th annual conference organized by local representatives of the Sierra Club Environmental Justice & Healthy Communities Program and faculty from local colleges and universities. The University of Memphis Department of Anthropology and Environmental Studies program began helping to host this event in 2013. This event is unique in its focus on informing grassroots communities and students about environmental issues and organizing strategies. Registration is free and the event is accessible to community members coming from off campus.
This year's keynote speaker is long-time community and environmental justice activist Richard Moore. He will be speaking on "Building Strong Alliances to Fight for What Matters." We will have an afternoon session by Pedro Cruz, Sierra Club Senior Representative for the Clean Infrastructure, Labor & Economic Justice Program: "Can the New Green Deal Tackle the Climate Crisis?" In between we will have breakout sessions with local organizers, activists and UofM faculty including Health Effects of Pollution, Stopping Neighborhood Landfills, Improving Public Transit, Drinking Water Protection, and Building Effective Coalitions.
Lunch is included, but free preregistration is required. Click here to register.
Working for environmental justice involves strengthening communities and building advocacy for a transition away from business-as-usual practices. Please join community leaders and environmentalists for this day-long conference.
Registration Information
Reminder - this conference is FREE and open to the public. However, everyone attending MUST be pre-registered. A complimentary lunch will be served. Please indicate your meal preference online.
Deadline for conference registrations is Friday, September 27, 2019
Parking & Directions
Free and convenient parking can be found in the Zach Curlin Parking Garage directly across from the University Center. Zach Curlin Drive can be accessed from either Central Avenue or Walker Avenue. The entrance to the University Center is accessible from the 3rd level of the parking garage via a covered walkway just to the left of the garage stairs and elevators. Follow the covered walkway into the University Center and proceed to the first floor Theatre for the Plenary Session and Registration Table. Take the University Center elevator or stairs to the third floor for the workshops. All workshop rooms are numbered and will be mainly located on the 3rd floor.
Climate Crisis Art Competition
Environmentalists, artists, photographers and all creative people may submit your images in one of these categories: Cartoon, Creative Image, Photograph, Youth, or Solutions. You could win up to $1000 for "Best In Show". (Note- members of the jury and the organizers are excluded from competing in the challenge.) For full details and to submit your art, see this link: https://climatecrisisartcompetition.wordpress.com/ .
Winning images will be displayed at the University of Memphis, University Center, as part of the Environmental Justice Conference on October 5, 2019. All qualified images will be displayed on the website.
About the Keynote Speaker
Richard Moore is a longtime community activist and environmental justice champion.
Mr. Moore is co-director of Albuquerque, New Mexico's Los Jardines Institute (The Gardens Institute) and national co-coordinator of the Environmental Justice Health Alliance. He has spent his entire career advancing environmental justice, racial justice,
and economic justice. He was a founding member of the Black Berets in Albuquerque
and co-founded the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) and later helped lead the Southwest
Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ). Richard has amassed numerous
awards such as the "Keep the Dream Alive Award" from the Albuquerque based Martin
Luther King Jr. Multicultural Council, the 2005 Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing
World Fellowship, the Human Rights Award from the City of Albuquerque, the Alston
Bannerman Fellowship Award for Community Organizers of Color, the 2014 Luminaria award
of the NM Community Foundation and the 2015 César E. Chávez "Sí Se Puede" Award from
The Recuerda a César Chávez Committee. In 2015 he was inducted into the Civil Rights
Hall of Fame Hall of Resistance in Selma, Alabama. He also served as the first elected
chair of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Justice
Advisory Council (NEJAC) and has been reappointed three times to serve on the NEJAC
and presently serves as its Chair. In addition, Mr. Moore has served as the Co-Chair
of the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Task Force, and as the Co-Chair of
the Congressional Black Caucus National Environmental Policy Commission.
Sponsors
- Sierra Club Environmental Justice Community Partnerships Program
- Sierra Club Tennessee Chapter
- Chickasaw Group Sierra Club
- University of Memphis African and African-American Studies Program
- University of Memphis Anthropology Department
- University of Memphis Earth Sciences Department
- University of Memphis Environmental Studies Program
- University of Memphis Political Science Department
- University of Memphis School of Public Health
- University of Memphis School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy
- University of Memphis Sociology Department
- League of Women Voters
On Social Media
Look for updates and information on this web site, on the FaceBook 16th Annual Environmental Justice Conference Page. Share with friends, colleagues, and community members! Use hashtag #MemphisEJ2019.