2024 Environmental Justice Symposium
Today, we stand at the forefront of global uprisings and struggles—liberation, U.S. labor movements, and coastal justice on stolen land. The nexus of environmental justice, capitalism, and U.S. imperialism is a crucial discourse for understanding the environmental crises that threaten our world. This year's Environmental Justice Symposium will deconstruct the capitalist framework, engage in discourse, and foster solidarity in our shared pursuit of a just and sustainable future.
Join the Bren School EJ Club on Friday, May 24 from 1:00 - 5:00pm either in Bren Hall 1414 or online using this link and passcode justice.
Thank you to our generous co-sponsors! Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, Coastal Fund, Environmental Justice Alliance, Graduate Student Association, The Green Initiative Fund, Bren Sustainability Club
SCHEDULE
1:00 - 1:15pm: Introduction & Land Acknowledgement
1:15 - 2:00pm: Keynote, Global Liberation Struggles, US Imperialism and the Connection to Environmental Justice
- Tina Landis, Public Information Officer, Author of Climate Solutions Beyond Capitalism, Founding member of Party for Socialism and Liberation
2:10 - 3:00pm: Panel, Environmental Justice as a Class Struggle: Why is Capitalism Not the Solution?
- Panelists: David Pellow, Department Chair of Environmental Studies, Director of the Global Environmental Justice Project, UCSB; Thomas Joseph Tsewenaldin, Carbon Policy Educator, Indigenous Environmental Network; Fernando Martinez, Organizing Manager, Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP). Moderated by Dena Montague, Environmental Justice Lecturer, Stanford University, Co-founder of ÉnergieRich.
3:10 - 4:00pm: Panel, Dismantling Capitalism: What are the Alternatives for Building a Socially and Environmentally Just World?
- Panelists: Dena Montague, Environmental Justice Lecturer, Stanford University, Co-founder of ÉnergieRich; Donnie Mclurcan, Executive Director, Post Growth Institute; Esteban Kelly, Executive Director, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives; Patricia Frimu, Organizer, Party for Socialism and Liberation. Moderated by Cesar Martinez-Alvarez, Assistant Professor, UCSB.
4:10 - 5:00pm: Panel, On the Stolen Land: Landback, Natural Disasters and Coastal Justice
- Panelists: Chris Ragland, Founder and Executive Director, The Sea League; Olivia Lopez, Government Affairs & Community Engagement Manager, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice; Jayajit Chakraborty, Professor and Mellichamp Chair in Racial Environmental Justice, Bren School; Marianne Parra, hi ho stoqošlóq hi xus Communications Director. Moderated by Annanya Deshmukh, Chair, Coastal Fund Board.
5:00pm: Reception
- Networking and refreshments in the Bren Hall Michael J. Connell Memorial Courtyard