2022 Nashville Youth Climate Summit

The 2022 Nashville Youth Climate Summit was an awesome event! You can learn more about the event and takeaways in our blog.

The Cumberland River Compact in partnership with the Mayor’s Youth Council presents the Nashville Youth Climate Summit. Join youth from across Nashville as we come together to learn about climate change in our city and its global impacts. Local scientists, activists, and nonprofit leaders will lead collaborative sessions on climate change impacts and solutions. The day will cover topics from the basics of climate change to racial & climate justice, climate careers, sustainable food systems, climate action, and much more! This year’s Summit will have a virtual morning session (10:00am-12:30pm) featuring panels of local leaders and an in-person afternoon session (2:30pm-5:00pm) focused on Climate Leadership Development. Students can register for one or both sessions.

High school youth who live in Nashville are encouraged to register. Youth from other counties in Middle Tennessee are also welcome to attend the virtual portion. Students in Nashville will be given priority for the in-person portion.

Covid-19 Policies: The in-person afternoon session of the Nashville Youth Climate Summit will be capped at 35 attendees with a maximum of three students per school. Masks will be required for all attendees. The event is subject to change in accordance with public health guidelines. The virtual session has no cap and no maximum number per school—we welcome all students!

Register here: https://forms.gle/DAgR9zf7pHJFLYPv7

Virtual Morning Session (10:00am-12:30pm):

Welcome and Opening

Keynote Speaker: Climate Change 101 with Jonathan Gilligan (Vanderbilt University)

Break

Breakout Session 1 (choose 1 of 3 topics): 

Climate Justice & Racial Justice with RaCarol Woodard (The Equity Alliance), Justin J. Pearson (Memphis Community Against Pollution), Dr. David Padgett (Tennessee State University), and Marquita Bradshaw (Sowing Justice).

Climate Resilience with Dr. Alisa Hass (MTSU), Dr. Jennifer Tribble (Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation), Dr. Kendra Abkowitz (Nashville Chief Sustainability and Resilience Officer), and Dr. Janey Camp (Vanderbilt University). 

Sustainable Fashion with Steven Romeo (Music City Creative), Hallie Synan (Patagonia), Zahra Biabani (In the Loop/Soulful Seeds), and Akilah Skukura (Glamoore).  

Break

Breakout Session 2 (choose 1 of 3 topics): 

Policy for Climate with Trey Bussey (Southern Environmental Law Center), Angie Henderson (Metro Council District 34), Sudeep Ghantasala (Sunrise Nashville), and Arielle King (Environmental Law Institute). 

Sustainable Food Systems with Elizabeth Langgle-Martin (The Nashville Food Project), Jeremy Lekich (Nashville Foodscapes/Compost Nashville), Jess Wilson (Southeast Tennessee Young Farmers’ Coalition), and TBD. 

Beyond High School: Climate Careers with Dr. Adelle Monteblanco (MTSU Professor), Jason Carney (Tennessee Solar Energy Association), Renee Barker (Milepost Consulting), and TBD. 

Closing Remarks and Climate Visioning 

In-Person Afternoon Session (2:30pm-5:00pm):

Welcome and Opening

Personal Climate Action Training

Break

Climate Communication Training 

Managing Climate Anxiety 

Break

Collective Climate Action Training with Jacob Aparacio (Oasis Center)

Closing Remarks and Time to Connect

Learn more about last year’s Summit on our blog post.  

Follow us on Instagram (@nashvilleyouthclimate) and Twitter (@NashYCS) for more information!