Tue, Aug 03, 2021: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Session Organizer:
Leanne M. Jablonski FMI, PhD
Moderator:
Carmen R. Cid, PhD, ESA Certified Senior Ecologist, Leanne M. Jablonski FMI, PhD
Volunteer:
Aanuoluwapo Olajide
Climate Justice has arisen as a major global concern in International Science Assessments, non-governmental including faith-based organizations and people’s movements. All are raising the importance of ensuring that as we address climate change solutions, that we ensure that those already disadvantaged, especially those of low income and other vulnerable groups - particularly BIPOC (black, indigenous and other people of color) already experiencing environmental injustice are not further disadvantaged. In the US, the movements towards Anti-racism, Inclusion, diversity, and multicultural awareness in society, our Universities and ESA as a whole provide opportunities for ecologists and the field of ecology to integrate more broadly. Ecologists can provide data, tools and training for local communities as well as educating in ways that show the interconnections between the human dimensions of ecology along with the non-human elements of ecosystems. Such integration is essential for all career tracks and members of society in finding socio-ecological solutions to environmental problems. In 2018 the Ecological Society of America recognized the importance of elevating the human dimension in ecology education and endorsed its first curricular framework, the Four-dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) to support efforts for educating ecologists to be able to address the environmental justice issues related to climate change. In this session, we invite experts in climate justice, equity and diversity in ecology, and environmental education to present on their areas of expertise and provide a comprehensive action plan for integrating climate justice into ecology education. This session features a diversity of presenters, from different generations, cultures (LatinX, Black, Indigenous, Caucasian) and faith-based organizations who have worked from local to global levels in formal and non formal educational settings. Presenters will respond to the following: * Describe the dimensions of climate justice in your work and the challenges faced * What are the ways that ecology knowledge is needed to address the injustice? * From your work, How do you see climate change and justice solutions interfacing with the components of 4DEE ? www.esa.org/4DEE/framework * How can ecologists and students of ecology engage in the issue ? What training/skills (ecological practices) do they need? * How/where do you experience the passion and interest of students/young people in addressing the issue of climate justice ? * What are resources you’d recommend for ecology educators and students? Educational approaches you’ve found helpful, or that you think are needed?