8:00am -- Registration/Continental Breakfast
9:00am -- Opening Plenary
Welcome to Charlottesville -- Charlottesville Mayor David Brown
Our Challenge -- Mike Tidwell, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
10:00am -- Panel Discussion: Re-Energize Virginia!
Presenters will each speak for 5-10 minutes about prospects and opportunities for climate action in our Commonwealth, followed by Q & A from the audience.
Diana Dascalu-Joffe, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices
Mike Town, Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter
Mike Tidwell, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
10:45am -- Round-Robin Breakout Sessions – Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Virginia
These 30-minute sessions will demonstrate why Virginians need to pay attention to global warming and climate change (hint: it's not just affecting the polar bears). Each session will be done twice (10:45-11:15am, 11:25-11:55am) so attendees can choose two.
Impacts on Human Health and Community Well-Being -- Kari Fulton, Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative
Sea Level Rise Along Coastal Virginia -- Joe Lerch, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Skip Stiles, Wetlands Watch
Coal & Mountaintop Removal -- Kathy Selvage, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards and Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices
Threats to Fish & Wildlife -- Julian Keniry and Kristy Jones, National Wildlife Federation
12:00pm -- Lunch/Keynote Speaker
Stephen Smith, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
1:15pm -- Breakout Sessions – Focusing on Solutions
In these hour-long sessions, presenters will explore opportunities for Virginians to get mobilized and engaged in constructive efforts to address the climate change crisis. Each session will feature an informational presentation followed by Q & A and discussion.
Virginia Climate Policy -- Mike Town, Sierra Club-Virginia Chapter, Diana Dascalu-Joffe, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and Don Giecek, Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative
"No New Coal" Campaign -- Cale Jaffe, Southern Environmental Law Center and Matt Wasson, Appalachian Voices
The Smart Growth Imperative -- Jeff Werner, Piedmont Environmental Council
Federal Legislation -- Rob Jones, Virginia Climate Initiative and Glen Besa, Sierra Club-Appalachian Region
Green Building Advocacy -- Annette Osso, Virginia Sustainable Building Network
2:30pm -- Breakout Sessions – Building the Movement
In these hour-long sessions, presenters will explore strategies for building a bolder climate action movement in Virginia by reaching out to traditional and non-traditional allies alike. Each session will feature an informational presentation followed by Q & A and discussion.
Climate Action and Social Justice -- Joe Szakos, Virginia Organizing Project and Kari Fulton, Environmental Justice and Climate Change Initiative
Working with the Faith Community -- Allison Fisher, Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light
Reaching Out to the Agricultural Community -- Al Weed and Todd Smyth, Public Policy Virginia
Working with Hunters and Conservationists -- Julian Keniry and Kristy Jones, National Wildlife Federation
Campus Organizing -- Tom Owens, Campus Climate Challenge
3:45pm -- Panel Discussion: Plugging In – The Organizers’ Hour
This panel discussion will feature some of the leading voices from the front lines of the climate action movement, who will each leave the attendees with some valuable insights and advice on how we can win the climate debate in Virginia. Josh Tulkin of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network will moderate.
Pushing Local Governments to Take Action -- Paul Ferguson, Chair, Arlington County Board of Supervisors
Starting a Local Climate Action Group and Engaging With Policy-Makers -- Mike Tidwell, Chesapeake Climate Action Network
Mobilizing Against Mountaintop Removal -- Hannah Morgan, Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards
4:45pm -- Charlottesville Step It Up! Rally [at the UVa Amphitheater; rain site is Clark Hall, Rm. 108]
A charged-up rally with music and speeches to wrap up the day's proceedings and send us off in a spirit of inspiration and action!
6:00pm -- Refreshments & Networking
Register today -- you won't want to miss this event!
Conference Agenda
