I enjoyed moderating Climate Change Philanthropy: Giving Green, Giving Smart December 7, 2021, now available on the Cary Library Youtube channel.
We met amazing climate leaders from four major climate change charities. In the video, the Conservation Law Foundation, Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Sierra Club describe their missions, highlight their climate change initiatives, and field participant questions. These established NGOs take on regional, national, and even international climate concerns through policy initiatives, litigation, and cross-border networking. They are all top charities as rated by Charity Navigator.
This program is a unique opportunity for concerned citizens and students everywhere to get an overview of how broad-reaching non-profits are addressing the climate crisis and how philanthropy plays a crucial role. To address climate change and shape a livable, sustainable future for the planet, donors need to think globally, act locally, and give universally.
The featured speakers are:
For the Conservation Law Foundation:
Caitlin Peale Sloan, Senior Attorney and the Vice-President of Conservation Law Foundation of Massachusetts. Caitlin Peale Sloan leads CLF's Advance Clean Power team advocating for renewable energy and long term climate policy, and serves on the Executive Committee of the RENEW Northeast Board of Directors. She also litigates cases against polluters to enforce the federal Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
For Earthjustice:
Moneen Nasmith, Senior Attorney. Moneen Nasmith focuses primarily on addressing climate change and the environmental and health impacts of oil and gas infrastructure projects. She has represented tribes and community and environmental groups in all stages of administrative and court proceedings challenging various fossil fuel transport and export projects, including state and federal permits for oil and gas pipelines, crude-by-rail storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas export terminals.
For the Natural Resources Defense Council:
Jackie Wong, Director, Federal Regulatory Policy, Climate & Energy Program.
Jackie Wong focuses on developing state and federal policies to promote innovation and clean energy and decarbonize industry. Prior to joining NRDC, she was a senior advisor for energy and climate change at the White House during the Obama administration, where she focused on amending the Montreal Protocol to address HFCs, reforming the federal coal program, and ensuring protections in the Outer Continental Shelf.
For the Sierra Club:
Deborah Pasternak, Massachusetts Chapter Director
A lifelong environmentalist, Deb Pasternak studied marine ecology and fisheries management and has worked in the photovoltaics and wind farm industries. An educator and policy advocate, she has served the Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter on their Energy Committee, as a trainer for their statewide Activist Trainings, and as Chair of the Executive Board before becoming Director.
Sponsored by the Lexington Climate Action Network and the Cary Library of Lexington, Massachusetts.