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As the #COP21 climate talks are close to ending, you can be proud of the HBCU delegation you helped send to Paris. Click here to watch a special meeting with the students and 350org founder Bill McKibben and help support their work back home to continue their climate resistance and resiliency project.
Friend,
A few months ago, I reached out to members like you to introduce you to some very special students who attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). You got to hear some of their stories from frontline communities, and learn why it was important for them to attend climate talks here in Paris. Many of you responded, and your donations helped get them here to tell their stories about how climate impacts to the world.
Having spent time with them this week, I can tell you they took full advantage of the opportunity and showed the world why HBCUs and students like the must lead the fight against climate change, as argued by the "Father of Environmental Justice," Dr. Robert Bullard.1 These students know firsthand what's at stake during the climate negotiations, because their communities have been the most affected by dirty emissions, climate fueled storms and other dangerous episodes associated with global warming pollution.
But while U.N. negotiators from all over the world showed these students respect by listening, learning and offering support, back home Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia referred to HBCUs as "lesser schools" -- basically calling these kids stupid.2
Thankfully, these future climate leaders shrugged off the remarks and pressed on, because they know how important it is for them to be in Paris. And someone else does too, our good friend and 350 dot org founder Bill McKibben, who took time out of his schedule to spend time with the HBCU Delegation and let them know just how important they are to the climate struggle. Click here and make a $10 donation to watch Bill's address in its entirety after watching a clip of his remarks below.
As climate talks wrap up, the real work is just beginning for all of us, and especially the HBCU Delegation. When we all pitched in to help them get to Paris, we knew this would be a long term partnership -- one Environmental Action is proud to continue. But we need your help to assist these students with the important work they need to do back in frontline communities from New Orleans, to the Florida coast, to Houston Texas -- and wherever refineries,oil and gas drilling threaten public health and climate resiliency.
When you watch Bill's entire address, you'll see why HBCUs are the first line of defense against climate catastrophe. Their rich tradition of preparing generations of African American and Latino leaders is invaluable and you just have to see for yourself how special these students are. Plus, your $10 donation (or more, if you can) will go a long way to assisting them with their important work.
It's been a pleasure working with this delegation, taking part in their events, hearing their stories and watching them grow. You can help keep this process going and hear from one of the most inspirational climate champions ever. Please click here to see a transformational exchange and assist the HBCU Climate Change Initiative.
Thanks for all you do,
Anthony for Environmenta Action
1. Bullard, Robert. Why a U.S. "Southern Initiative" on Climate Justice is Needed. Opednews. September 7, 2014.
2. Savage, David. G. Justice Scalia Under Fire for Race Comments During Affirmative Action Argument. Los Angeles Times. December 11, 2015. |
