Around Town

WE ACT 2020 Gala

Thursday, Oct 15, 2020

Why does environmental justice matter?

Pollution from fossil fuels has been choking our community for years. The climate crisis, driven by emissions produced from burning fossil fuels, is flooding our neighborhoods and killing our most vulnerable with extreme heat waves. And the economic injustices of the fossil fuel economy have drained our communities of job opportunities that can support a family.

It is time for a Just Transition. A Just Transition to renewable energy will not only clean up our environment and address the climate crisis, but it will also create jobs in our communities — communities that have been unjustly ravaged by systemic racism for generations.

Please join us on Thursday, October 15 for WE ACT's 2020 Gala. Come learn about how we can achieve a Just Transition, and in doing so you will help support WE ACT towards this goal. This year, WE ACT is honoring leaders working to advance a Just Transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, combating climate change while creating economic opportunities for those most impacted by it.

WE ACT has an incredible program planned for this year's Gala, including a provocative panel discussion by the honorees:

Jose Bravo, Executive Director, Just Transition Alliance

Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Texas Southern University

Michael Gerrard, Professor and Director, Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia Law School

Linda McPherson, President, Head Start Local 95 DC 37 AFSCME Maritza Silva-Farrell, Executive Director, ALIGN

In addition, we are excited to welcome Tom Steyer, founder of NextGen, as a special guest! A donation of $500 will give you an Ally Ticket to this virtual event and support our staff as we work at the city, state, and federal levels to achieve a Just Transition. In addition to access to the event, Ally Ticketholders receive special recognition in our Gala eJournal and get to participate in our VIP Cocktail Reception. Why is it called an Ally Ticket? Because purchasing one will make it possible for WE ACT to offer tickets to a wider audience who could not otherwise afford to participate in this year's Gala due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 on our community.

Please join us in October to celebrate our honorees and help us work towards a Just Transition in 2021!