BRANCH PROGRAM
Climate Crisis, Solutions and Justice Program August 29, 2024
In 2023, we witnessed the hottest year on record, underscoring the urgency of the climate crisis. Drastic weather events, droughts, floods, wildfires, compromised air quality, and diminishing biodiversity are all tangible manifestations of this global challenge.
The solution lies in preventing catastrophic overheating of the Earth by significantly reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, as outlined in The UN Paris Agreement, aiming for 100% reduction by 2050. Can we achieve this goal, and what are the associated costs? Moreover, can we pursue this goal in a manner that is just and equitable? Panelists Included
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Sandra Ripley Distelhorst is the AAUW-WA Public Policy Director. Her recent work as Director has documented the effects of climate change on women and girls. She is a past member of the Edmonds City Climate Protection Committee, and helped sponsor the Taming Bigfoot Event that encouraged individual and families to explore ways to lower their carbon footprint. She is also a member of the Climate Reality Project and Sustainable Community Stewards Program. Besides engaging in community-focused advocacy efforts, she advocates for policy changes through groups like AAUW-WA and LWVSC. She believes her single biggest climate protection advocacy is voting for local, state and congressional representatives who support climate protection policies. She endorses a NO vote on I-2117 which would repeal our state climate protection act. See Recommended Climate Protection Reading. Link to photo
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Francisca Santana: Francisca is an environmental social scientist dedicated to advancing equitable conservation and adaptation in a changing climate. Link to bio and photo
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Martin Gibbins: Martin serves as the chief policy advocate on Climate and Environment for the WA State League of Women Voters (LWV). With a commitment to promoting legislation that ensures a healthy environment for both people and wildlife, Martin has been a vital part of the LWV of Washington’s Advocacy Team since early 2017. Link to bio and photo
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Meagan Carmack: Meagan Meagan is a sub-national environmental politics scholar particularly interested in policy-driven maladaptation, non-human policy governance and policy-based redressal to environmental justice issues. Her doctoral fields of study include comparative politics, international relations, and political methodology. She specializes in environmental politics, with a particular focus on environmental justice issues. Link to bio and photo
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RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE
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WA ONLINE ANNUAL MEETING APRIL 21
Business meeting, elections, and special program
PANEL/CONVERSATION WITH CAMPUS ACADEMIC LEADERS Two Senior Academic Leaders discussed challenges and changes to curriculum and students. Time was limited so we agreed to schedule another meeting on this topic soon.
Kelvie Comer and Ellen Imsland were elected co-presidents for 2024-2025
**A BRAVE NEW WORLD OF AI**
On FEBRUARY 22, 2024 AAUW WA Online Branch hosted a panel of AI experts, and we explored the following topics:
What is AI? History of AI; Benefits; Concerns; Regulation With panelists we learned about uses of AI in Education; Communications; Data Ethics; Concerns about data bias and misinformation. Hear and see the discussion:
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FIND PANEL POWERPOINT WITH ALL RESOURCES HERE
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Branch Program DECEMBER 6, 2023,
‘LET FREEDOM READ’*: The Unprecedented Book Banning Movement and Why We Need to Get Involved
Thought-provoking discussion of the history, strategies and threats posed by the 21st century book banning movement. Key areas of exploration will include the historical context of book banning movements in the United States, the status of book banning and educational reform initiatives, the evolving politicization of these issues, and what you can do about it.
Scope of the problem: Between January 1 and August 31, 2023, the American Library Association (ALA) reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles. This marks a significant 20% increase over the record setting year of 2022. A substantial portion of these banned books are either written by or centered around members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.
Panelists:
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Kimberly (John) Cassetto – Walla Walla High School, Library Media Specialist. Kimberly has been awarded the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce 2023 Educator of the Year award, a district Staff Achievement Award, and recognition from WA Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.
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Gavin Downing – Kentridge High School, Teacher-Librarian. As a school librarian, he was the proud recipient of the Candace Morgan Intellectual Freedom award in 2022 for his fight against book bans. For his work in equity in education, he won the Student Involvement Award from Washington Education Association in 2023.
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Ava Kirtley – Former Student at Walla Walla High School, currently a University Student. As a High School Junior, unwilling to let a group of people who wanted to ban certain library books banned go unchallenged, Ava established a Banned Book Club and activated her community to get involved.
* The American Library Association theme for 2023 Book Banning Week in honor of record-breaking efforts to censor books now sweeping the nation’s libraries and schools. ‘Let Freedom Read’.
