Michigan Climate Summit will focus on ‘climate civics’

EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

DATE: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 26, 2024

EVENT: The 2024 Michigan Climate Summit will bring together more than 1,000 advocates and nearly 90 organizations from across the state to move forward just and urgent climate action.

Summit programming is designed to inform, inspire and uplift while exploring the intersections between civic engagement, social justice and climate action, all under the broad theme of "climate civics." The goals of this year's summit include depicting the interlocking crises of democracy and climate justice, empowering lifelong climate voters, and providing tangible ways to perform our civic duties.

The festival style atmosphere will include live music, an art build, tabling by more than 50 sponsoring organizations and keynote addresses by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and international bestselling author Bill McKibben. Combined with the annual University of Michigan Earthfest, which will host another 40 student and community groups, the day will be one of the largest gatherings of climate and sustainability advocates in Michigan's history.

Other featured speakers include:

• State Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-MI-9), Majority Floor Leader
• Shalanda Baker, U-M vice provost for sustainability and climate action
• Liesl Clark, U-M director of sustainable climate action engagement
• Regina Strong, environmental justice public advocate, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy
• Dan Utech, chief of staff of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

PLACE: Rackham Auditorium, 915 E. Washington St., Ann Arbor

SPONSORS: U-M School of Environment and Sustainability, Michigan Climate Action Network