Greater Detroit UNA Talks Climate Change
The Greater Detroit Chapter of the United Nations Association (GDUNA) is celebrating United Nations Day with the “OUR PLANET, OUR FUTURE: LET’S TALK CLIMATE CHANGE” event on October 20, 2019, 3:00pm to 5:00pm EST. The family-friendly event opens up discussions on environmental advocacy and how climate change is affecting our way of life and creating real challenges for the next generation.
To share data and lend authority on the topic, GDUNA has invited two guest speakers who are leaders in their respective fields. Kathryn Savoie, Ph.D., current Detroit Community Health Director of the Ecology Center in Michigan, United States, is one of the event’s speakers. Dr. Savoie has a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Michigan and has led environmental justice campaigns in Detroit for the past 20 years. Trained directly by former vice president Al Gore, she is an authorized presenter of the Climate Reality Project.
“As a Detroiter,” says Savoie, “I’ve seen how big industries dump harmful chemicals in our air and water without a thought about how it affects those who live nearby. I’ve seen how dirty energy created by burning trash is polluting our air, contributing to health problems like asthma, as well as climate change. As a mother of a child with asthma, I know the painful reality of living in an unhealthy environment.”
The reality of climate change is the reason why it was chosen as this year’s global focus for the United Nations General Assembly. The recently concluded UN Climate Action Summit last September paved the way for several major commitments by government and private sector leaders.
On October 20, UN Foundation Director of Advocacy and Humanitarian Affairs Micah Spangler will be coming to Detroit to be the national speaker for GDUNA’s UN day event. Spangler is also the Director of Advocacy and Humanitarian Affairs of the Better World Campaign. “I’m thrilled to be joining GDUNA to not only discuss the work the UN is doing to focus global attention on the growing climate crisis but also how local Detroiters can elevate their voices and call for genuine climate action here at home.”
“Climate change is the defining issue of our time – and we are at a defining moment,” says UN Secretary-General António Guterres. In response to his call on people to be leaders in the fight against climate change, the GDUNA chose “Our Planet, Our Future” as the theme for UN Day 2019.
“OUR PLANET, OUR FUTURE: LET’S TALK CLIMATE CHANGE” will be held at the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, 111 E. Kirby St., Detroit, Michigan. Everyone is invited and welcome to attend the event. For more information, visit http://www.unadetroit.org
