Juneteenth Town Hall: A Convergence of Climate Change and Racial Justice

On June 18th, the California Science Center in Los Angeles became the epicenter for an essential climate change and racial justice dialogue. Hosted by Tavis Smiley and KBLA Radio, the summit brought together civil rights activists, environmental policy advocates, and local officials to explore the critical intersections of these pressing issues. The event addressed the disproportionate climate impacts on low-income communities and communities of color, the pivotal role of transportation, and the transition to green energy.

The summit featured prominent figures, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Sierra Club President Ben Jealous, 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West, and Robert Bullard, widely recognized as the "father" of the environmental justice movement.

Highlights from the Climate Justice Symposium

The historic Climate Justice Symposium, moderated by award-winning talk show host Tavis Smiley, was a landmark event for KBLA Talk 1580. In her opening remarks, Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the urgent need for climate justice. Renowned scholar Dr. Cornel West delivered a powerful address on the convergence of Climate Justice and Juneteenth, underlining the movement's historical and contemporary significance.

Dr. Robert Bullard, Executive Director of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice at Texas Southern University, shared his journey and insights into the climate justice movement. He eloquently described the ongoing struggle as a "marathon relay," where each generation builds upon the efforts of the previous ones. Dr. Bullard stressed the necessity of coupling data and science with decisive action to achieve justice, stating, "Having the facts, having the data, having the science has never been enough to achieve justice. We must marry the facts, the science, and the data with action. That’s our movement."

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Bullard was presented with a piece of artwork signed by Kenny Gravillis, a fitting tribute to his legacy and ongoing work.

Watch the Full Event

The discussions at the Climate Justice Symposium were enlightening and inspiring, highlighting the urgent need for integrated environmental and racial justice approaches. To view the entire event, visit C-SPAN's coverage.

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The summit featured prominent figures, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, Sierra Club President Ben Jealous, 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West, and Robert Bullard, widely recognized as the "father" of the environmental justice movement.