Global Youth Movement, Investing & Climate Philanthropy Top Environmental Summit Topics; 16th Annual American Renewable Energy Day will focus on The Politics of Change.
Aspen, CO… The Youth Climate Movement exploded this spring and politicians are taking notice. Two of the leaders in the movement and the attorney suing the United States on behalf of youth will be in Aspen/Snowmass in August as this powerful trend takes center stage at the 16th Annual American Renewable Energy Day Summit (AREDAY) at the Viceroy Resort in Snowmass Village, CO, August 15-17. These youth leaders were among the thousands of young activists who gathered in New York City for the Global Climate Strike this May, joining over a million people in more than 1,600 cities across the world in demanding that politicians take decisive actions against climate change. They will be discussing their experiences during the Summit.
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The first, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, is the youth director of Earth Guardians, which trains diverse youth to be effective leaders in the environmental, climate and social justice movements. The second is Xiye Bastida Patrick, a youth activist with Fridays For Future. The third individual with the youth climate movement who will speak at AREDAY is Julia Olson, Executive Director & Chief Legal Counsel for Our Children's Trust, which represents 21 young people who have sued the U.S. Government in Juliana v. United States, claiming they have a right to a safe climate. Their perspectives are key in addressing the AREDAY Summit’s theme, “The Politics of Change.”
Another global phenomenon known as Divest-Invest Philanthropy will be front and center at AREDAY. This movement has surged over the past few years as an increasing number of institutions and individuals are moving their money out of fossil fuels and into climate solutions. These efforts have resulted in $8.8 trillion being divested although only $600 billion has been reinvested to date in clean or renewable energy. The challenges and opportunities of this movement will be discussed on a panel moderated by former Colorado Senator Timothy Wirth, Vice Chair of the United Nations Foundation. Joining Wirth will be Ellen Dorsey of the Wallace Global Fund (an early advisor and funder for the first divestment campaigns), and Tom Van Dyck of RBC Wealth Management (an initiator of the movement with his clients). Wallace and Van Dyke helped launch the movement when they were guests in 2014 on the Moyers & Company TV show.
According to Chip Comins, Founder of the AREDAY Summit and Chairman and CEO of the American Renewable Energy Institute (AREI), which stages the AREDAY Summit, “In order to move the needle, we not only have to reinvest the entire divested amount, but double and triple it to reverse the rapid deterioration of the atmosphere.” Sally Ranney, President of AREI, puts it this way, “A fundamental shift in consciousness about climate is a critical requirement if we hope to implement solutions sufficient enough to reverse the climate trends.”
Another hot topic will be “Climate Philanthropy,” a charitable way of giving the public insight into climate problems and sharing solutions by funding educational opportunities for the public to learn and act. Earthx’s Trammell S. Crowe will join Spike Buckley from Earth's Call, Judy Ann Wrigley, founder of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU) and Bill Brandt, Director of Strategic Integration for ASU Lightworks, housed at the Sustainability Institute.
Lightworks discovers and invents energy solutions to the world’s fuel, electric and social challenges by using the energy from sunlight. Earth’s Call is a new nonprofit organization dedicated to finding and funding innovative solutions to fight the climate crisis. Earthx is the nation’s largest environmental forum and expo in Dallas where a diverse group of people gather to explore sustainable solutions for today’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The AREDAY Summit has been convening since 2004 as one of the largest in-person brain trusts of the global renewable energy industry, attracting climate change decision-makers, change agents and thought leaders. This year, 80 speakers from finance to technology and education to scientific research will be sharing their knowledge and wisdom. All three days of the Summit will be livestreamed.
In addition to the Summit, AREI will simultaneously sponsor the Impact Film Festival, a solutions-oriented festival designed to motivate the community to engage in climate change issues and protect the planet for future generations. Registration costs range from $350 to $1,250 with special rates for students, non-profits, governments and a single day.
About AREDAY – The AREDAY SUMMIT is a program of the American Renewable Energy Institute (AREI). It has taken place annually in Aspen or Snowmass, CO since 2004. The agenda includes a multi-day speaker series and IMPACT FILM. AREDAY offers attendees the opportunity to engage with clean energy world leaders from the public and private sectors, including the fields of finance, politics, solar, wind, biofuels, and geothermal plus leading-edge energy technologies. Participants have included President Jimmy Carter, the Prime Minister of Australia and the president of Iceland. For more information, call 970-930-8002 or visit AREDAY.net.
