WHY: Climate change has emerged as the greatest challenge of our time. As seen in the People’s Climate March in 2014 and 2017, and the growing number of campaigns in the last several years, the climate movement is growing.

But what, exactly, can be done about climate change, and by whom? What does the science say about the future (or possible futures) we face? And what role should unions play in ensuring that the right policies are developed and implemented in a way that helps workers and communities, builds worker power, and promotes greater equality?

Labor can play a major role in the social and economic transition that needs to occur. To play this role, union leaders, staff and active members will need a level of knowledge and “climate literacy” to make sense of the policies options and be able to advocate for and organize around real solutions.

WHO: The Climate Leadership Immersion is designed for union officers, committee chairs, and research, education and policy staff. The Immersion is aimed at union leaders who have been called upon to represent their organizations on climate and environment issues, or who want to help their union play a more effective role in future. 

GOALS: To help participants acquire a solid grasp of the key issues — scientific, technical, political, social and historical — of climate change and climate policy.  

The Immersion will address how unions from all sectors can engage climate policy and activism in ways that can build union strength on the job and in the community, engage members, and promote union values. The aim is to help build a community of climate leaders inside both the traditional labor movement and worker-community organizations in order to register a collective impact at the local, national and international levels. Participants will be introduced to the work of key actors in the climate movement both in the US and internationally.

Through guest speakers and videoconferencing, the immersion will draw on the experience of climate scientists, policy experts, climate movement leaders, union leaders, and other domestic and international allies and experts. The Immersion will discuss current debates within the climate community, assess the effectiveness of existing policies and identify and consider ways to promote real solutions to the climate crisis.

REGISTER ONLINE:  Please contact Irene (information below) and register at: https://goo.gl/forms/MMQgn3w6yjcVks3s1

CONTACT:

Irene HongPing Shen
International Program on Labor, Climate and Environment
CUNY Murphy Institute
ireneTUED@gmail.com
917-251-6949