2021 Virtual Michigan Climate Summit
May 24-27, 2021 | Virtual
The 2021 Michigan Climate & Clean Energy Summit went virtual as the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing.
Co-hosted by the Michigan Climate Action Network and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, it brought together policymakers, advocates, and community leaders for a dynamic, multi-day virtual event. Featuring prominent voices like Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Senator Debbie Stabenow, and climate justice leaders Jacqueline Patterson and Marnese Jackson, the Summit addressed critical issues such as climate policy, environmental justice, and Michigan’s carbon neutrality goals. Attendees engaged in breakout sessions and discussions highlighting frontline communities, clean energy solutions, and equitable climate action, making the event a cornerstone for advancing Michigan’s climate leadership.
WATCH SESSIONS
Monday, May 24
Michigan Leading on Climate
- Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, State of Michigan
- Liesl Clark, Director, Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
- Katherine Peretick, Commissioner, Michigan Public Service Commission
Tuesday, May 25
Federal Action on Climate
- Kerry Duggan, CEO of SustainabiliD, former policy advisor to President Biden
- Kelly Speakes-Backman, Acting Assistant Secretary, Department of Energy
Congressional Perspective on Climate
- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
- U.S. Senator Gary Peters
Wednesday, May 26
Climate & Environmental Justice
- Jacqueline Patterson, Senior Director, Environmental and Climate Justice Program, NAACP
Centering Communities and Workers as We Tackle Climate Change
- Moderator: Justin Onwenu, Sierra Club
- Stephan Edel, Coordinator, NY Renews Coalition
- James Harrison, Director of Renewable Energies, Utility Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO
- Theresa Landrum, Detroit Community Leader and Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice
- Michelle Martinez, Executive Director, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
Achieving Michigan’s Carbon Neutrality Goal
- Moderator: Dr. Brandy Brown, State of Michigan Office of Climate & Energy
- Lauren Cooper, Director, Forest Carbon and Climate Program, Michigan State University
- Marnese Jackson, Co-Director of Fresh Energy – Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition
- Douglas Jester, Partner, 5Lakes Energy
Michigan Climate Awards Ceremony
- Jamie Simmons, Michigan Climate Action Network
- Kate Madigan, Michigan Climate Action Network
Closing Remarks
- Naina Agrawal-Hardin, Sunrise Movement and U.S. Youth Climate Strike Coalition
Michigan Policymaker Roundtable
- Moderator: Charlotte Jameson, Program Director for Legislative Affairs, Energy, and Drinking Water, Michigan Environmental Council
- U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D), U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan
- Rep. Joe Bellino (R), Michigan House of Representatives
- Senator Mallory McMorrow (D), Michigan State Senator
- Rep. Rachel Hood (D), Michigan House of Representatives
- Rep. Michelle Hoitenga (R), Michigan House of Representatives
- Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D), Michigan House of Representatives
Thursday, May 27
Cities and Communities Leading on Climate
- Moderator: Dr. Missy Stults, City of Ann Arbor
- Sergio Cira-Reyes, Director of Community Engagement, Urban Core Collective
- Bryan Lewis, Executive Director, EcoWorks
- Dr. Sarah Mills, Senior Program Manager, Graham Sustainability Institute, University of Michigan
- Julie Staveland, Manager, Sustainability Section, EGLE
- Mayor John Murphy, City of Petoskey
Breakout Sessions—Round 1
Session A: Climate and Line 5
- Moderator: Sean McBrearty, Oil & Water Don’t Mix
- Esosa Aimufua, Associate Attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Center
- Whitney Gravelle, President, Bay Mills Indian Community
- Beth Wallace, National Wildlife Federation and Great Lakes Business Network
Session B: Building a Movement: Featuring Young Leaders
- Moderator: Jamie Simmons, Michigan Climate Action Network
- Latia Leonard, EcoWorks
- Eradajere Oleita, Detroit Organizer, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition
- Joshua Perkins, Black Millennials for Flint
- Holly Pummell, Michigan State University Student Leader
Breakout Sessions—Round 2
Session A: Tribes and Clean Energy
- Moderator: Sarah Smith, MICARES
- Kevin Blaser, Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Indians
- Jake Glavin, Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association
- Dr. Chelsea Schelly, Michigan Technological University / MICARES tribal survey
- Barry Skutt, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatami
- Gary Lewis, Utility Supervisor, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians
Session B: Electrifying and Decarbonizing Transportation
- Moderator: Cory Connolly, Michigan EIBC
- Ash Narayanan, Executive Director, Our Streets Minneapolis
- Maggie Stritz Calnin, Director, Healthy Air Program, Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision
- Tremaine Phillips, Commissioner Michigan Public Service Commission
- Terry Travis, Managing Partner, EVNoire