Hello John,

Our struggles are linked. 

Seemingly every day, we receive news of catastrophe: devastating destruction from hurricanes, heatwaves, and ongoing genocide.We know that it’s the same political and corporate players that continue to make decisions that wreak havoc on our communities. 

We also know that another future is possible: as climate catastrophe continues to ravage landscapes and livelihoods, the call for community-controlled, -owned, and -empowering solutions grows louder. Community-members in the so-called U.S. Territories linked by shared experiences of a horrific legacy of militarism and increased climate emergency risk are amplifying calls for a people-powered future. 

Join us for an exciting conversation hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency’s White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council on October 9th from 11:30 AM-1 PM PT/1:30-3 PM CT/2:30-4 PM ET & AST.

Selena Feliciano from the REFOCUS campaign will be moderating a panel of inspiring leaders across island nations:

• AMERICAN SAMOA: Andra Samoa, Community Advocate, Environmental Activist and Former Member of the American Samoa House of Representatives; American Samoa
• U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS: Frandelle Gerard, Executive Director of Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism. Inc
• NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS: Marjorie Atalig Daria, Board Member of Tinian Women Association, Inetnun Kutturan Natibun Marianas/Koor Aramasal Marianas, & the Northern Marianas Humanities Council
• GUÅHAN/GUAM: Tiara Naputi, Associate Professor of Department of Global & International Studies University of California Irvine
• PUERTO RICO: Ruth Santiago, Counsel/Lawyer, Comité Diálogo Ambiental

You’ll log off the panel with critical learnings:

• The vision for climate resilience that ensures that all people of island nations–especially low-income, communities of color, and indigenous folks–have what is needed to thrive
• How to stand in solidarity with powerful organizing by leaders in the U.S. Territories, paving the way for new futures
• The real links between federal policies and blocks to environmental justice–present, past, and forecasted

We root our organizing in pursuit of liberation and call for systemic change. Together, we’re amplifying calls for a people-powered future where our communities are empowered to chart our own futures–free from the constraint of harmful corporate and political interests–to build resilience, safeguard lives, and ensure a sustainable future for all.  Thank you for continuing to weave threads of solidarity with us.