Concurrent Session on Environment and Climate on the Campaign Trail
Colorado State University hosted the Society of Environmental Journalists at the Lory Student Center, and the concurrent session had some special guests for a conference on Oct. 11.
The concurrent session had public lands at a crossroads and Q&A with DOI secretary Bernhardt, environmental stories in sound, storyteller to the mediator, ecological justice, energy and climate, food and agriculture, water and snow, land and conservation, nation and globe, and luncheon plenary for all of session one. All of these topics provided information to educate journalists and students on how these specific topics are affecting society.
For the 2020 election will offer a stark choice and contrast on U.S. environmental and energy policy. During President Donald Trump's first term, he has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, accelerated oil and gas drilling offshore and on public lands, tried to revive coal mining and power production, and slammed wind and solar energy is unreliable. The Democratic Party presidential candidates are competing to be the environmental contender in 2020. Most of the candidates have expressed support for the Green New Deal, the massive reform initiative that calls for a "10-year national mobilization" to transition the country to a 100 percent renewable-energy, zero-emissions economy. The luncheon plenary brought together politicians and campaign advisors to discuss the Green New Deal and what national environmental policy will look like beyond 2020, under either a Republican or Democratic president.
Jared Polis, the Governor of Colorado, open up the luncheon plenary. Polis gave his beliefs on how he felt about what is happening in the environment and how is Colorado adapting to making the situation better.
“It is important to be creative. We need to find new ways like they found in Pueblo with the Everest solar field and the community that lies in fossil fuels.” Polis said. “Try to get ahead of the curve here in Colorado.”
After Polis got done the speaking, the panel began with some familiar speakers. The moderator Lisa Friedman, reporter and climate desk for The New York Times, ran the whole debate about the Green New Deal and national environmental policy to think about for the upcoming 2020 election.
The speakers were Guido Girgenti, Mandy Gunasekara, Heather McTeer Toney, and Joseph Pinion. Girgenti is the Founding Board Member and Communications Advisor and Sunrise Movement. Gunasekara is the Founder, Energy 45 Fund, and former Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Toney is the national Field Director Moms Clean Air Force, and former Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Former Mayor.
Friedman asked each speaker some challenging questions to have them think and give their honest opinion on why they feel the way to do about their answer.
The concurrent session one was very informative and most journalists got insight on how election 2020 is going to go when the environment will be brought up.
