AM Keynote & Climate Influencer Summit Kick Off: A Call to Climate Action: Why We Must ALL Become Climate Activists

Presenters:

Gina McCarthy, President & CEO of NRDC Action Fund and former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator under President Obama.
Jamie Margolin, Co-Executive Director of Zero Hour/Youth Climate March, named on of People Magazine’s 25 Women Changing the World
Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., President & Founder, Hip Hop Caucus and The Coolest Show
Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, North America Director 350.org
Moderated by Erin Callahan, Executive Director of Climate Collaborative

Main Stage

The Climate Influencer Summit’s inspiring and empowering keynote brings together some of most respected and influential climate leaders in the nation to give a “Call to Climate Action.” In this panel discussion, these climate leaders will show how climate change is not just an environmental issue, but is a human issue, already affecting all of us. To really drive systemic climate action, listeners will be challenged to go beyond just being “green” and to become climate activists. You will walk away inspired with powerful tools and a deep understanding of ways we can turn concern on climate change into meaningful action and advocacy!

Gina McCarthy, President & CEO of NRDC Action Fund and former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator under President Obama.

At the NRDC, Gina McCarthy leads more than 700 attorneys, scientists, advocates, and policy experts in environmental action. Prior to this, as U.S. EPA Administrator, McCarthy oversaw some of the most consequential work in the agency’s history, including strengthening safeguards for clean water and air, setting the first-ever limits on carbon pollution from power plants and advancing the U.S. environmental diplomacy that helped produce the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement. While at the EPA, McCarthy ushered in a paradigm shift in national environmental policy, which expressly linked it to global public health.

Jamie Margolin, Co-Executive Director of Zero Hour / Youth Climate Marches

In high school, Jamie Margolin (now age 18), created Zero Hour to give young people a voice in influencing impactful climate change legislature, and since then has become one of the top voices on climate action. In early 2019, Jamie Margolin testified in Congress along with climate activist Greta Thunberg to promote policies that address climate change. She also is known for suing the state of Washington for their inaction against climate change on the basis of a stable climate being a human right. In 2018, she was named as one of People Magazine’s 25 Women Changing the World.

Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr., President & Founder, Hip Hop Caucus / The Coolest Show / Think100%

Reverend Yearwood works to bridge the gap between communities of color and environmental and political advocacy. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Reverend Yearwood established the award-winning Gulf Coast Renewal Campaign where he led a coalition of national and grassroots organizations to advocate for the rights of Katrina survivors. In 2008, he led Hip Hop Caucus’ launch of Respect My Vote!, a campaign and coalition that works with Hip Hop artists to engage young people in the electoral process. He is a leader in campaigns calling for divestment from fossil fuels causing climate change, increasing diversity in the climate movement, ensuring everyone has clean water and air, and international efforts to address climate change. In 2018, he helped launch Think 100%, Hip Hop Caucus’ award-winning climate communications and activism platform.

Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, North American Director 350.org

Tamara Toles O’Laughlin is an environmental advocate who works to increase opportunities for vulnerable populations to access healthy air, clean energy, and a toxic free economy. As the leader of 350’s programming, she leads mission critical work to build a multiracial, multi-generational climate movement that is capable of holding our leaders accountable to science and justice. She is a co-chair of the Green Leadership Trust, and has served as a chair of DC Eco Women, serving 6,000 professional women. She is the Chair and state representative on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee. Tamara also serves as the chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Women’s Voices for the Earth which pushes for ingredient disclosure and the elimination of toxic chemicals from personal care products.

This keynote presentation will be moderated by Erin Callahan, Executive Director of Climate Collaborative, which works with over 500 mission-driven companies to leverage the power of the natural products industry to reverse climate change.