Presentation and Discussion with Dr. Paul Clements
Sept. 14 at 12:30 in Room 19
A light lunch will be provided by the Green Sanctuary Committee.
Tens of millions of people have been displaced from their homes and livelihoods by effects of climate change, mostly in the Global South, and their numbers will continue to rise in coming decades. Although climate migrants are the largest population victimized by climate change, their needs have mostly been ignored by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the wider international community of climate change-related organizations.
On Sept. 14, at People’s Church, Dr. Paul Clements (WMU Political Science Dept.) will speak about Climate Justice and Support for Climate Migrants. His presentation will provide back-ground for two upcoming events focused on climate justice efforts at international and local levels, a welcome reminder that positive actions are possible in spite of the current situation with the US government.
One event highlights international advocacy from faith communities. At 2pm on Sept. 25 there will be a Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Faith-Based Initiatives for Climate Justice. This discussion will be hosted by Dr. Clements and Elsa Barron, co-director of the Christian Climate Observers Program that represents (some) Christians at meetings of the UNFCCC’s Conference of Parties, including COP 30 in Brazil this November. One initiative to be discussed is a proposal to launch an advocacy organization encouraging the US and other developed countries to take responsibility for their carbon pollution by supporting climate migrants.
On Oct. 27-29, the Climate Change Working Group at WMU is hosting an international online Climate Migrant Symposium that aims to contribute to knowledge, networks, and advocacy critical to building institutional capacity for supporting climate migrants. The public is invited to attend symposium sessions. See the website for information: https://www.climatemigrantsymposium.org/.
Contact Cybelle Shattuck (cybelle.shattuck@wmich.edu) or Connie Ferguson conniekzoo@hotmail.com) for more information about the talk at People’s Church.