2023 Michigan Climate Summit

June 2, 2023  |  Oakland University

Summit 2023 Photo Collage

 

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2023 THEME

2023 Michigan Climate Summit

Addressing the climate crisis calls for social action guided by science, informed by values, and fueled by emotional engagement. This year, in addition to science and policy, we convened even more movement makers and connected to the broader cultural work of artists, storytellers, educators, and activists. The vision we achieved was an accessible, interactive, and fun day focused on increasing our collective capacity, supporting each other, and unleashing the creative potential of the climate movement to transform culture.

LIVE STORYTELLING EVENING: TALES FROM HEAT ISLAND

Tales From Heat IslandTo get in the Summit spirit of "Sharing Our Stories", on the evening leading into our event, Here:Say Storytelling staged a show at the Crofoot in Pontiac, MI. The live storytelling show was hosted by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and featured true experiences of climate impacts told on stage by performers from all walks of life. Listen to the moving recording of Tales From Heat Island >

SUMMIT SPEAKERS & RECORDINGS

WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
Denise KeeleDenise Keele, Ph. D.
Director, Michigan Climate Action Network
April ClobesApril Clobes
CEO, Oakland University Credit Union
Ora PescovitzPresident Ora Pescovitz
Oakland University
Jeffrey InskoJeffrey Insko
Professor of English and Coordinator of American Studies, Oakland University
Graham CassanoGraham Cassano
Associate Professor of Sociology, Oakland University
KEYNOTE - MIHealthyClimate Plan Update
Cory ConnellyCory Connolly
Climate and Energy Advisor
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Regina StrongRegina Strong
Environmental Justice Public Advocate
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Hudson VilleneuveHudson Villenueve - Moderator
Federal Government Affairs Coordinator, Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Abraham AiyashState Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-MI-9)
Majority Floor Leader
Rosemary BayerState Senator Rosemary Bayer (D-MI-13)
Energy & Environment Committee
State Representative Dylan Wegala (D-MI-26)State Representative Dylan Wegela (D-MI-26)
Sen. Sue ShinkState Senator Sue Shink (D-MI-14)
Energy & Environment Committee
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
BREAKOUT SESSION ONE A - Emerging Youth Leaders
Liv RollingerLiv Rollinger - Moderator
Climate & Clean Energy Specialist, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities
Lake LiaoLake Liao
Sunrise Movement Troy; Incoming freshman at Princeton University
Anna KavanaughAnna Kavanaugh
Environmental Engineering Junior at Michigan Technological University
headshot placeholderPerla Guerrero
SPROUTS; Environmental Justice Group at Congress of Communities
Richard (RJ) CardRichard (RJ) Card
West Bloomfield High School EARTH Club Diversity Chair
 
BREAKOUT SESSION ONE B - Shut Down Line 5
Ellis WaltonEllis Walton - Moderator
Associate Attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Center
Sean McBrearty Sean McBrearty
Clean Water Action; Campaign Manager, Oil & Water Don't Mix
Beth WallaceBeth Wallace
National Wildlife Federation
Jeffrey InskoJeffrey Insko
Professor of English and Coordinator of American Studies, Oakland University
Kathleen BrosemerKathleen Brosemer
Ph. D. Candidate in Energy and Environmental Policy, Michigan Technological University
 
BREAKOUT SESSION ONE C - Siting Renewable Energy
Bill LatkaBill Latka - Room Moderator
Founder & Chief Storyteller, Storylicious
Peter SinclairPeter Sinclair
Michigan-based videographer specializing in climate change and renewable energy issues
Mike BuzaMike Buza
Chair - Sierra Club: Nepessing Group
Chair - Legislative Committee: Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club
Brendan MillerBrendan Miller
Michigan Field Director, Land and Liberty Coalition
Dr. Abdul El-SayedDr. Abdul El-Sayed
Director of the Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services for Wayne County
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
BREAKOUT SESSION TWO A - Health Impacts and Lived Experience
Abdul El-SayedDr. Abdul El-Sayed - Moderator
Director of the Department of Health, Human, and Veteran Services for Wayne County
Lisa DelBuonoLisa DelBuono - Co-Moderator
Executive Director, Michigan Clinicians for Climate Action
Laura Carter-RobinsonLaura Carter Robinson, Psy.D.
Clinical psychologist, Humanity&Planet; Executive Committee, Climate Psychology Alliance of North America
Sue Anne BellSue Anne Bell
University of Michigan School of Nursing
Donna Givens DavidsonDonna Givens Davidson
President and CEO of the Eastside Community Network
Dr. Porsche Fischer, MA, MS, Doctor of Human ServicesDr. Porsche Fischer, MA, MS, Doctor of Human Services

Education and Evaluation Manager, Center for Health & Community Impact, Wayne State University

BREAKOUT SESSION TWO B - Teaching the Climate Crisis
Jeffrey InskoJeffrey Insko - Moderator
Professor of English and Coordinator of American Studies, Oakland University
Elena LioubimtsevaElena Lioubimtseva
Professor of Geography and Sustainable Planning, Co-founder and coordinator of Climate Change Education Solutions Network, Grand Valley State University
Eileen BookenstienEileen Boekestein
Environmental Education Coordinator, Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Riley JustisRiley Justis
Chief Operating Officer, Take Action Global
Jen TianenJennifer Tianen (McQuillan)
English Teacher and Founder of the West Bloomfield High School Literary Garden
Brian DeyoBrian Deyo
Associate Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, Grand Valley State University
BREAKOUT SESSION TWO C - Social Change through Storytelling
Karen (Kabie) SteinKaren (Kabie) Stein - Interactive Workshop Facilitator
Creative Director & Producer, Here:Say Storytelling
Learn how to tell your own story to inspire change, incite empathy, and motivate action.
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
BREAKOUT SESSION THREE A - Oakland County Climate Action
Tina CatronTina Catron - Moderator
Michigan Field Consultant, EDF Action
Erin QuetellErin Quetell
Chief Environmental Sustainability Officer, Oakland County Office of Sustainability
Andrew SarpolisAndrew Sarpolis
Senior Field Organizer, Sierra Club, and Turn Oakland County Green
Analicia HazelbyAnalicia Hazelby
Chapter Leader, Greater Detroit Chapter Citizens Climate Lobby
Kimathi BootheKimathi Booth
Climate Justice Co-Chair, North Oakland Branch of the NAACP
Woody GontinaWoody Gontina
Vice Chair, Royal Oak Environmental Advisory Board
BREAKOUT SESSION THREE B - Students Driving University Action
Brendan Mortensen-SeguinBrendan Mortensen-Seguin - Moderator
MiCAN intern and rising junior at Western Michigan University
Alison MartinAlison Martin
Student at Western Michigan University; Director of Sustainability for the Western Michigan Student Association
Aaeshah SiddiquiAaeshah Siddiqui
Social Work student at Oakland University; Organizer for Public Citizen
Taryn IndishTaryn Indish
Student at Northwestern Michigan College; Northern Michigan Regional Organizer for Michigan League of Conservation Voters
BREAKOUT SESSION THREE C - Creating Your Cipher
Dominique CampbellDominique Campbell Interactive Workshop Facilitator
Musician & Cultural Organizer
Discover how to tap into your own creativity to mobilize a movement through cultural and community organizing.
PLENARY PANEL - Energy Justice
Ellen VialEllen Vial Moderator
Engagement & Coalitions Manager, Michigan Environmental Council
Michelle JonesMichelle Jones
Soulardarity
Kamau ClarkKamau Clark
Southeast MI Lead Organizer, We The People
Rafael MojicaRafael Mojica
Program Director, Soulardarity
Victoria StewartVictoria Stewart - Moderator
Director of Advocacy and Outreach, Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Marnese JacksonMarnese Jackson
Co-Director, Community Engagement & Equity, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition
April LindalaApril Lindala, Ph. D.
Professor and Director (2007-2019), Center for Native American Studies, Northern Michigan University
Terra BielbyTerra Bielby
Legislative Aide to Alabas Farhat
Monica Lewis-PatrickMonica Lewis-Patrick
President & CEO, We The People of Detroit

PLANNING COMMITTEE

Marshall Clabeaux, Michigan Mosaic Energy Cooperative; Dr. Jeffrey Insko, Oakland University; Bentley Johnson, Michigan League of Conservation Voters; Michelle Jones, Soulardarity; Bill Latka, Storylicious; Colleen Ludwig, Summit Art Director, Oakland University; Brendan Mortensen-Seguin, Western Michigan University; Frank Provenzano, Oakland University; Liv Rollinger, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities; Ashley Rudzinski, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities; Andrew Sarpolis, Sierra Club, Turn Oakland County Green; Jeff Smith, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities; Ellen Vial, Michigan Environmental Council; Hudson Villeneuve, Michigan League of Conservation Voters

YOU CAN HELP NOW

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Michigan working for a stable climate

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