GWC Webinar Series: The Climate Justice Lens Is Here to Stay

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Date(s) - 04/27/2021 - 04/30/2021
12:00 am

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GWC Webinar Series: The Climate Justice Lens Is Here to Stay

Addressing climate change is the defining issue of our time, and without strategic action in the very near-term, meaningful mitigation will become more difficult, expensive and elusive.  Insufficient action will leave our most vulnerable populations facing the greatest risk.  We are also living in a defining moment; the current social and political environment offers the opportunity for transformative change.  How that change proceeds however, is paramount.  Solutions must be developed and implemented in manners that will withstand inevitable legal challenges and shifts of political winds. 

The severe impacts are unprecedented in both speed and scale.  In addition to widespread recognition of the physical changes to the Earth, society is increasingly making the connection to the human toll.  From public lands and water management, advancing clean energy development, to scaling up new energy technologies – truly sustainable solutions must include a lens that focuses on environmental, social, and climate justice.

In light of the pandemic, we have reconfigured what would have been our Eighth Annual Clyde O. Martz Spring Symposium into a virtual series held throughout the Spring.  We are convening diverse stakeholders to discuss how we can forge a path to a sustainable ­– and equitable ­– future.  We will hear from leaders in the Biden Administration, policymakers, Tribal leaders, and NGOs.

Session One
The Water & Tribes Initiative: Tribal Water Rights & a Sustainable Vision for the Colorado River Basin

Bidtah Becker, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
Nora McDowell, Project Manager for the AhaMakav Cultural Society, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
Daryl Vigil, WTI Co-director; Water Administrator for Jicarilla Apache Nation
Garrit Voggesser, Director, National Wildlife Federation’s Tribal Partnerships Program

Tuesday, April 27, 2021
CLE Accreditation, Policy Briefs, and Event Video

Session Two
Farther & Faster: The Integral Role of Technology in an Equitable Clean-Energy Economy

Join us for a conversation among two strong voices for creative entrepreneurship who will discuss what it will take to scale up the varied technologies needed to advance an equitable clean-energy economy.  Newly appointed Executive Director of the Department of Energy’s Loan Program, Jigar Shah, is a seasoned clean energy entrepreneur, author, and acclaimed podcast host known for his work to create and advocate for market-driven solutions to climate change.  Among his many accomplishments, Attorney General Weiser founded the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship at Colorado Law, where he catalyzed critical conversations among diverse stakeholders to propel the future of law, policy and entrepreneurship.  From strategic investments and the free market, to related law and policy, Shah and Weiser will discuss transforming existing energy infrastructure, accelerating growth of utility-scale solar and wind, expanding domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles, analyzing nuclear potential, and how all of these efforts will advance technology breakthroughs and create jobs.

Jigar Shah, Executive Director, U.S. Department of Energy Loan Program
Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

Friday, April 30, 2021
Noon – 1:00 PM (MDT)
More Information and Registration 

Session Three
Land, Water, & People: The Natural Resource Priorities of the Biden Administration

Dean James Anaya will lead a moderated conversation with Secretary Haaland and Congressman Neguse exploring both agency and legislative priorities regarding public lands and water management, resource extraction, energy development, and related tribal issues – with an environmental/climate justice lens.

Deb Haaland, United States Secretary of the Interior
Joe Neguse, United States Congressman, Colorado 2nd District
S. James Anaya, Dean, University of Colorado School of Law

Thursday, May 13, 2021
5:00– 6:15 PM (MDT)
More Information and Registration