Carbon Sequestration and Climate Justice in Cities

Date: Wednesday, October 14th from 12-1 pm (MDT)
Hosted by: Salazar Center for North American Conservation, Colorado State University

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US cities face a host of interrelated challenges in 2020. A nationwide history of racism in housing and environmental injustice mean communities of color largely live in more polluted, hotter neighborhoods with less tree canopy and green space. Meanwhile, global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, evermore necessitating not only a reduction of emissions but also a tremendous investment in carbon capture worldwide – including in cities which are often overlooked as a potential site of carbon capture through urban forestry and green space. This webinar will summarize the research that indicates that urban environments can and should be prioritized for carbon capture through significant investment in urban forestry, the inequity in existing tree canopies and green space, and the policy solutions that would ensure this investment has clear climate and local benefits, particularly for communities of color.

Panelists:

Brett KenCairn, Urban Drawdown Initiative Founding Director

As a Steering Committee member of Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA), Brett has helped to spearhead drawdown initiatives within both CNCA and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. He serves simultaneously as the City of Boulder, Colorado’s Senior Policy Advisor for Climate and Resilience. As part of Boulder’s commitment to leverage broader climate action outside of its city boundaries, the City supports Brett in holding these dual responsibilities.

Leslie Jones, American Forests

Leslie Jones joined American Forests in 2020. Leslie has over 25 years of experience in shaping conservation policy. As Deputy Undersecretary and Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Department of Agriculture her work included overseeing the Forest Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service on a variety of natural resource issues, including management of the 193-million-acre National Forest and Grassland System, and implementation of Farm Bill conservation programs on America’s farms, ranches and forests. Leslie grew up in California and Maine and now lives in Virginia where you will find her playing with her retriever dog in the nearest water body.

Sean Terry, Trust for Public Land

Sean Terry is the Ohio Parks for People Program Director for The Trust for Public. In this role, Sean provides leadership and input to further the organization’s efforts around Parks Planning; providing public/stakeholder facilitation and capacity building, as well as, implementation guidance for the 10 Minute Walk initiative at The Trust for Public Land. Sean has significant experience in urban planning and community development, where he has worked in a number of different capacities to enhance the quality of life in and around communities. Sean is a Cleveland Heights resident, and operates out of TPL’s Cleveland office located in The Flats.

Dr. Melissa McHale, Colorado State University

Dr. Melissa McHale is an urban ecologist whose internationally recognized work mobilizes cutting-edge urban theory and practical science for decision-making in cities. Her research encompasses diverse themes, including:  the social and biophysical drivers of urban ecosystem structure and function; global urbanization processes; green infrastructure and designer ecosystems; ecosystem services, disservices and tradeoffs; and linkages among landscape patterns and human health and well-being. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, at Colorado State University, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Wits City Institute, at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa.  She received a BS in Conservation Ecology from Rutgers University, a PhD in Ecology from Colorado State University, and served as a postdoctoral research fellow with the Central-Arizona Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research site at Arizona State University. 

Moderator:

Dominique  Gómez, The Salazar Center

Dominique joined the Salazar Center as its program director in the summer of 2019. Prior, she most recently served as COO at WaterSmart Software, where she helped the company grow its operations and advocated for technology and innovation in the water sector. Dominique has worked on climate policy as a Governor’s Fellow at the New Mexico Environment Department, then later as a consultant at Cascadia Consulting Group in Seattle, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors. Dominique graduated with a MBA from Stanford and a MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and has a BA from Yale University.