Speaking at Careers for Change: Climate Futures
Speakers for the Careers for Change: Climate Futures Series.
Attendees mingling over appetizers before the presentation.
On October 28th, I joined nine other climate professionals at the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions to speak about our work to 75+ young folks in the Washington, D.C. area. We shared our experiences navigating the shifting political landscape, how we became interested in climate work, and what gives us hope. This event was part of the Reservoir Center’s “Careers for Change” series, focused on creating community connections and providing opportunities for young professionals to learn about different ways to get involved in the climate space. I spoke alongside presenters from the World Resources Institute (WRI), NOAA, The Stimson Center, the Council of the District of Columbia, Climate Central, Georgetown Climate Center, and others.
I unfortunately wasn’t given permission to speak about my professional work in the climate sector by my employer, so instead I spoke about my work as a climate artist. In 2020 I interviewed 25 women and non-binary leaders in the climate space. I was going to graduate college soon and knew that I wanted to work in climate but didn’t know how or in what capacity. During these interviews with Christiana Figueres, Xiye Bastida, Wanjira Mathaai and others, I kept hearing the same thing: find the intersection of your skills, interests and what’s needed in the climate space. That message stayed with me and was a driving force in my choice to pursue the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship focused on using art and storytelling to catalyze local climate action. Since then, I’ve created art for the Climate Museum, COP 28 in Dubai, DC Climate Week, LA Climate Week, the National Clean Water Collective, and others. I’ve co-founded the Imagine Earth Collective - a group of environmental artists focused on creating art events focused on local D.C. environmental issues. I’ve continued to serve as an art judge for Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Competition, a competition focused on youth environmental education through art. All of these experiences are the result of my decision to combine my interests and skills in the climate space.
Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson’s Climate Action Venn Diagram
Since 2020, Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson encapsulated this intersection in a beautiful “Climate Action Venn Diagram”, a chart used to help people figure out how to contribute to the climate movement. It was a large topic of conversation at the Careers for Change event, with fillable venn diagrams posted around the room as well (access a printable version here).
There were several themes from the night: speakers talking about transitioning out of the federal government, Hurricane Katrina being a catalyst for action, and presenters feeling fear and sadness and also hope.
Attendees listening to the Climate Futures presentations
Hope because this was the largest event that the Careers for Change series has ever seen. Hope because people continue to make a difference in their communities, and continue to show up for each other, for their communities, and for the climate. Hope because it’s the only way forward.
Thank you to the Reservoir Center for Water Solutions, the Women’s Aquatic Network, and Xylem for hosting this inspiring event. It was such an honor to speak alongside so many dedicated climate professionals and to meet others interested in the climate space. For those interested in getting involved in local DC climate and environmental chapters, I’ve compiled a list of organizations focused on climate and environmental issues below.
Local Climate and Environmental Groups:
