2019 Michigan Climate Action Summit
2019 Michigan Climate Action Sumit
Thursday, February 21, 2019 | Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids
Summary
The inaugural 2019 Michigan Climate Action Summit, held at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI, brought together leaders, advocates, and experts for a powerful day of action and collaboration.
Keynote speakers included Dr. Jonathan Overpeck, renowned climate scientist and Nobel Prize recipient, and Liesl Clark, Director of Michigan’s Department of Environmental Quality, who emphasized bold leadership and urgent climate action.
The Summit featured engaging panels and breakout sessions on climate justice, renewable energy, and local leadership, fostering dialogue and strategic planning for Michigan’s equitable, decarbonized future.

Summit Schedule
| REGISTRATION & COFFEE • 8:30 – 9:00 AM | ||
Welcome to the Michigan Climate Action Summit • 9:00 – 9:45 AM Mayor Rosalynn Bliss – City of Grand Rapids Introduction – Setting the Stage
Kate Madigan – Director, Michigan Climate Action Network Chairman Bryan Newland – Bay Mills Indian Community Michelle Martinez – Statewide Coordinator, Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition |
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KEYNOTE – Climate Science and the Need for Action • 9:45 – 10:15 AM Dr. Jonathan Overpeck |
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KEYNOTE – Michigan’s Commitment to Climate Action • 10:15 – 10:45 AM
Liesl Clark |
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| KEYNOTE PANEL – Bold Leadership on Climate • 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM | ||
Johanna MillerEnergy & Climate Program Director, Vermont Natural Resources Council |
Paul GetsosNational Director, Peoples Climate Movement
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Regina StrongDirector, Michigan Beyond Coal Campaign, Sierra Club |
LUNCH & NETWORKING • 12:00 – 12:30 PM![]() |
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| LUNCHTIME INTENTIONAL DISCUSSIONS • 12:30 – 1:00 PM |
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| What are your or your organization’s climate priorities? | Let’s agree on a goal for Michigan – equitably decarbonize by 2040? | What does our state need most right now to decarbonize by 2040? |
| BREAK • 1:00 – 1:15 PM | ||
| BREAKOUT SESSIONS ONE • 1:15 – 2:30 PM | ||
| Cities & Universities Leading on Climate
Missy Stults |
Local Renewables: Building Support & Overcoming Challenges
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Building Power: How to Grow Our Movement
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| BREAK • 2:30 – 2:45 PM | ||
| BREAKOUT SESSIONS TWO • 2:45 – 4:00 PM | ||
| Moving Off Oil: EV’s, Pipelines, and the Future of Transportation
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National Climate Work
Denzel McCampbell Nicholas Jansen
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Climate Justice and Equitable Transition
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| Share results of lunch discussions, and cast a vote on climate priorities for Michigan. 4:00 – 4:30 PM
CLOSING REMARKS – How do we build a bigger, more powerful movement? Seth Bernard – Community Organizer & Musician, Clean Water Campaign for Michigan and Earthwork Music |
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| NETWORKING & HAPPY HOUR • 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Featuring beverages from Brewery Vivant |
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KEYNOTE – Michigan’s Commitment to Climate Action • 10:15 – 10:45 AM
Johanna Miller
Paul Getsos
Kara Cook
Regina Strong
Jim Lively
Bob Sutherland
Dan Worth – Moderator
Dr. Jes Thompson
Jim Carruthers
Laura Sherman – Moderator
Sarah Mills
Peter Sinclair
Matthew Wagner
Seth Bernard – Moderator
Megan Collier
Leah Wiste
Frank Houston
Rachel Marco-Havens
Margrethe Kearney – Moderator
Charlotte Jameson
Shanna Draheim

Lisa Wozniak
Elizabeth Dell
Kathryn Savoie – Moderator
Rhonda Anderson
Maria Thomas
Dorthea Thomas


































