Inspired by the hard fact that deep injustice is both a cause and effect of climate change, the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region community joined together during Earth Month 2021 for 22 days of learning and action for intersectional climate justice in our region and beyond. Beginning on April 1 and culminating on Earth Day, April 22, Climate of Change was modeled after the 21-day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge, and aimed to bring a bigger, more diverse audience to better understand and ultimately take impactful action for climate justice in our region.

The premier elements of the series were four live virtual sessions held each Thursday (April 1, 8, 15, and 22, ASL and Spanish interpretation provided) that featured nationally recognized keynote speakers and local guest panelists. Participants received a daily email on each of the 22 days with content to help them explore, learn and engage through live presentations, facilitated discussions, videos, articles, and action opportunities. In addition, three Wednesday evening facilitated small group discussions (April 7, 14 and 21, ASL and Spanish interpretation provided upon request) were offered for those interested in further processing the previous week's content with fellow participants. The series was designed so that event participants could achieve the following:

* Learn together and from each other about climate justice issues in our region.

* Begin to co-create a vision for how the Greater Rochester region can use intersectional climate action to become a more just and equitable community.

* Identify concrete opportunities for collaborative climate justice in our region.

Climate of Change was co-created by Urban League of Rochester, Ibero-American Action League, City Roots Community Land Trust, Connected Communities, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Rochester Area Community Foundation, St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Climate Solutions Accelerator.

Community Change Partners

Community organizations and businesses were invited to sign on to the series as Community Change Partners! These Partners pledged to

[1] Promote the series through their organizational communications platforms
[2] Encourage employees/members/constituents to participate in the series
[3] Have their name and logo included in the series communications

Fifty organizations ultimately signed on to be Community Change Partners! Scroll down to learn more about these Partners.

 Sponsors

 Co-Creators

 Community Change Partners