Fri 8/6 @ noon
It’s no secret that communities of color and poor communities bear the brunt of climate change as well as toxic pollution. They’re forced to live in the riskiest areas, those most prone to flooding, heat islands, storms, and pollution from chemical plants, waste dumps and more. It’s no mystery why New Orleans’ poor Ninth Ward bore the brunt of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 or why in the Midland/Odessa twin cities of Texas, more pollution from the local petroleum industry impacts the poorer and more Hispanic city of Odessa than the wealthier Midland (where both presidents Bush hailed from).
The City Club will be hosting a forum called “Climate, Conversation & Community Power” which explores the background of environmental racism and how the voices of minority and non-affluent communities have been left out of the clean energy discussion, receiving far less money than groups led by white people.
“What if there was an opportunity to invest in efforts across Ohio that sit at the intersection of racial equity, democracy and climate?” they ask, pointing to the new Ohio Climate Justice Fund initiative, which just launched early this summer.
Participants include Ohio Climate Justice Fund director Leah Hudnall, Ohio Citizen Action executive director Rachael Belz and Groundwork Ohio River Valley executive director Tanner Yess. Margaret Bernstein, WKYC Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives, moderates.
The forum will take place in person and also be livestreamed. If you have questions, tweet @TheCityClub or text 330.541.5794. For more information and tickets, go to cityclubclimate-conversation-and-community-power.