Join the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center on Tuesday, April 20 at 4 PM EDT for a timely public discussion with international leaders working to advance energy equity for marginalized communities and address environmental racism.
President Biden has placed both environmental and energy justice at the top of his political agenda, creating new posts and task forces to address historic and present inequities impacting minority and marginalized communities with regard to access to clean air, clean water, green space, reliable electricity, clean energy, and energy-efficient infrastructure. These disparities have lasting and pervasive consequences, and growing national calls for racial justice and the COVID-19 pandemic have brought to light the systemic health impacts of siting policies that placed minority communities on the fenceline of polluting industries and heavy transport arteries. These issues extend far beyond the United States to nations across the world such as Canada and Australia, and international leaders should cultivate global dialogue around these issues to develop positive, inclusive solutions to environmental and energy injustice and create a more equitable world as the energy transition accelerates.
As the energy transition takes off, it is imperative that the benefits of cleantech, green employment, and renewable energy reach every demographic in society. Clean energy should be made affordable and available to all, and green power projects should enfranchise local populations as participating stakeholders. What steps can policymakers and energy leaders take to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable are met and issues of injustice are addressed as the world transitions to a cleaner energy system?
This event is part of the Atlantic Council “Raising Ambitions” events series, which focuses on the higher climate ambitions that the Biden Administration hopes to realize at home and abroad. It will evaluate key technologies critical to helping reach these goals, emphasize sectoral approaches to decarbonization, and highlight countries increasing their commitments to climate action. The aim is to build momentum in advance of the summit and encourage increased ambition from public and private sector actors.
Please join this conversation via the web application Zoom, which is accessible through your web browser, the Zoom desktop or mobile app, and by phone. If you wish to join the question and answer period, you must join by app or web. Please register below to receive further information on how to join the virtual audience.
Agenda
A conversation with
Shannon Baker-Branstetter
Deputy Director of Policy
Dream Corps Green For All
Clinton Britt
President
Grove Climate Group
The Honorable Omar Narvaez
Council Member
City of Dallas
Dr. Suzanne Singer
Executive Director
Native Renewables
The Honorable Lenore Zann MP
Member of Parliament (Liberal)
Cumberland-Colchester, Nova Scotia, Canada
Moderated by
Terzah Tippin Poe
Principal
ICS | TRIO Global Solutions;
Mentor
Harvard Kennedy School Arctic Initiative
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The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.