Climate Justice Teach-in explores environmental justice and art

The Climate Justice Teach-In, a two-day event highlighting the diversity of topics that intersect with art and climate justice, will be held May 16-17 at the Erb Memorial Union.

The panels, workshops, and events are organized by the Climate Justice League, the Coalition Against Environmental Racism and Student Sustainability Center. The free, student-led event is open to all students, faculty members and community members. No registration is required.

“This event is central to our mission to provide students from all backgrounds with support and education on topics of environmental justice, highlighting the diversity of work and art in particular that intersects with climate justice,” said Riley O’Connell, an environmental studies major and the Student Sustainability Center’s environmental justice education and outreach coordinator.

Three panels are planned for the first day of the teach-in, at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., all in the EMU’s Gumwood Room. Each of the panels will discuss topics related to art, environmental justice and climate change.

The second day of the teach-in includes three workshops, “Zine Making,” “Collage Riot” and “Banners, Posters, and Propaganda.” The workshops are held simultaneously as drop-in activities from 4-7 p.m. in the EMU Crater Lake Rooms.

“This event centers students in leading impacts in climate change and environmental justice and, very critically, centers creative practice as a critical tool for taking on some of the hardest questions in climate justice,” said architecture professor Erin Moore, a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee for the provost’s Environment Initiative. “This student-led initiative also reinforces the shared sense of urgency and mission that is reflected in important work all over UO campuses and in the provost’s Environment Initiative.”