Past Panels

Intersectional Environmentalism

The Intersectional Environmentalism panel includes three well-known activists of color in an hour-long conversation about the topic of intersectional environmentalism, an approach to climate action that highlights diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. 

Youth Activism in Action

This panel focuses on youth activism by young women of color in the environmental movement. These youth activists would share their journeys, the causes they are championing, and encourage others to get involved.  Moderated by Columbia College Sustainable Development student and founder of The Eco Justice Project, Lauren Ritchie, this panel aims to inform our perspectives on activism, experience, and agency. 

Small Island Sustainability

This conversation dives deep into Caribbean climate activism and helped empower our students and faculty to mobilize around climate change issues. The speakers discuss what sustainability looks like in the Caribbean, the impacts of neocolonialism, and why it’s so important for small island nations to be included in the climate conversation. 

Disability Justice, Climate Change, and Eco-Ableism

This panel discusses the ways that disabled folks have been cast aside within activism spaces, how disabled individuals are at a higher risk of climate disasters, and the widespread prevalence of ableism, especially casual ableism, in our society. 

Environmental Justice Careers

This discussion serves as an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students alike to hear about post-grad opportunities pursuing careers in environmental justice work and receive advice and feedback on the academic and professional pathways that are most advantageous for environmental justice positions. 

Food and Agriculture Systems

In this event, panelists share their own experiences, reflections, and advice for advancing equity while addressing climate change. They delve into the complexity of sustainable food systems, advice for sustainable eating practices, managing food waste, the importance of ethical food consumption, unfair working conditions for farmers, and the availability of healthy food in low-income communities of color. 

Sustainable Fashion

This is a conversation on the growing market for sustainable fashion and the challenges in transforming a consumer culture based on fast consumption. It's an opportunity for attendees to learn more about sustainable fashion practices and companies, the impact the fashion industry has on the environment, and how they can make well-informed choices on accessing and maintaining clothing. This conversation also centers on the voices of women and people of color, as they lead the important work of creating innovative and sustainable ways to enjoy clothing. 

Gender Equity and Climate Change

The panelists focus on how environmental justice intersects with the fight for gender equity. They discuss how climate change affects women and girls’ access to education, healthcare, and the resources they need to succeed. As well as how women and girls are taking a stand and fighting for a better environment and for their rights.

Indigenous Futures

The panel focuses on Indigenous perspectives on climate change and creates a space where Indigenous voices are centered within the climate conversation. The panelist also consider how sustainability, resilience, and world-building look from diverse Indigenous perspectives.

Brown Faces and Green Spaces

The panelists discuss bringing the beauty of nature to diverse communities, in their capacities as activists, academics, CEOs, and community leaders. The panelists delve into how they are creating safe spaces for POC to enjoy and connect with nature. They discuss how limited access to the outdoors affects marginalized communities, the discriminatory systems that make it harder for POC to enjoy nature, and the ways that they’re pushing past them. 

Visions of The Future: Using Art and Storytelling to Confront Climate Anxiety

In this event, panelists discuss their work on climate change and the way it shapes mental health, media, art, and activism. Climate anxiety is the feelings of grief, despair, angst, and doom surrounding the deterioration of the climate. The panelists delved into how various forms of art and activism can foster hope and engagement as we work through climate anxiety. They offer resources and opportunities to address mental health while staying active in pushing for change.