EVENT ADVISORY: Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice
MEDIA ADVISORY FOR:
June 7, 2023
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Geoffrey Nolan, Earthjustice, gnolan@earthjustice.org, 202-740-7030
Betsy López-Wagner, López-Wagner Strategies, Betsy@equitablecomms.com, 708-717-9408
Maeve Stewart, López-Wagner Strategies, Maeve@equitablecomms.com, 650-714-9583
Sam Hananel, Center for American Progress, shananel@americanprogress.org.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice
WASHINGTON, DC– Azul, the Center for American Progress, and Urban Ocean Lab are hosting an online symposium on the rising tide of justice and equity in ocean policy.
The need to pursue environmental justice does not end at the water’s edge. Access to ocean resources and influence in shaping ocean policy have long been inequitable across racial, economic, and generational lines because of legacies of racism, colonialism, and industrialization.
At the same time, historically excluded and marginalized communities in coastal communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, including rising sea levels and intensifying storms, as well as by pollution, overfishing, loss of habitat and biodiversity, and coastal gentrification.
Across the United States, however, ocean justice communities are shifting that narrative and building and exerting real power in ocean and climate decision-making, policy development, and management.
This event will prioritize the experiences and voices of historically excluded and marginalized communities in ocean conservation discussions. We ask that all attendees be respectful of and intentional about the focus of the symposium.
This event is supported by Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Ocean Defense Initiative, and Green 2.0.
WHAT: Upwell, A Wave of Ocean Justice Online Symposium
WHO: Azul, Center For American Progress, and Ocean Justice Lab alongside numerous panelists from environmental, education, and justice-focused organizations. Full list of panelists and speakers can be found here and highlighted below.
WHEN: Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 12:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: You must RSVP at this link to watch the event online.
SCHEDULE:
12:30 p.m. ET, Welcoming remarks
Angelo Villagomez, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
12:35 p.m. ET, Freedom of Association at Sea: Advancing Justice in the Distant-Water Fishing Industry
Johanna Lee, Staff Attorney, Global Labor Justice
1:15 p.m. ET, Keynote introduction
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder and Executive Director, Azul
1:20 p.m. ET, Keynote: Federal ocean leadership
Keynote speaker to be announced soon!
1:45 p.m. ET Redefining Conservation Success: A New Wave of Ocean Climate Leadership
Moderator:
Angelo Villagomez, Center for American Progress
Panelists:
Peter Edwards, Officer, Conservation Science, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Olivia Lopez, Senior Specialist, Climate Policy, Ocean Conservancy
Charitie Ropati, education and environmental activist, researcher at Columbia University
2:45 p.m. ET Talking Ocean Policy: What Makes It Just?
Moderator:
Marquise Stillwell, Co-Founder, Urban Ocean Lab
Panelists:
Carlos Ochoa, Ocean Program Manager, National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
Colette Pichon Battle, Vision and Initiatives Partner, Taproot Earth
Helen Smith, Policy Advocate, Ocean Equity Collective; Creation Justice Ministries
3:45 p.m. ET Ocean Joy: Justice in Action
Moderator:
Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Azul
Panelists:
Anupa Asokan, Senior Advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council
Eddie Gonzalez, Director of Partnerships and Grants, National Park Service Chesapeake Office
GiGi Lucas, Founder and Executive Director, SurfearNEGRA
Dr. Nevada Winrow, Co-Founder, Black Girls Dive Foundation