As first announced by the White House on 3 December 2014, we are launching our initiatives that will link climate change, education, and poverty. In the words of World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim: “We cannot end poverty if we do not tackle climate change.” Our efforts to raise climate education, literacy, and training are supported at the highest level here in the United States. “If you believe, like I do, that something has to be done on this, then you’re going to have to speak out,” said President Barack Obama.
April is the month when millions of people all over the world celebrate Earth Day as they have since 1970. It’s also the month when millions more flock to Washington, DC for multiple mega-events. In addition to seeing our world-famous cherry blossoms, representatives from governments all over the world visit the American capital for spring meetings at the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.
The star-spangled Global Citizen 2015 Earth Day event featuring familiar faces such as Usher, No Doubt, Fall Out Boy, Mary J. Blige, and Train – to name a few – will also be shouting and singing out the message that we need to take action on climate change, and we need to do it now. Children of all ages will be visiting the National Mall in the heart of Washington, DC, exploring tantalising tents, such as our Alcantara Magic Garden-Connect4Climate pavilion, full of a magical world of natural wonders made from carbon neutral material and powered by the sun. While fun to visit, such places also instill valuable life-long lessons as well.
We’ll also be premiering Chloe & Theo, a feature film starring Dakota Johnson, Mira Sorvino, and first-time actor, Theo Ikummaq. In this comedy, a homeless girl befriends an Inuit, who has traveled to New York City from his tiny Arctic hometown with a big message for world leaders: my world is melting. The film was the brainchild of first-time producer Monica Ord. She heard about Theo’s true story from a friend, who challenged her to do something about it.
We’re also gathering a unique, multi-sector group of scholars and private sector leaders skilled in communicating climate change to a broad audience for a hard-working session. We’ll ask: How can we communicate climate change to ensure people are invested, and that they act? How can we improve what we do?
With such innovative and enthusiastic minds in one place, this is the ideal opportunity for us to join forces with like-minded partners to engage a variety of audiences – youth, students, professionals, scholars, and influencers – and mobilise them to act on climate change.
Connect4Climate has partnered with the Earth Day Network to put together events throughout the entire month and beyond. Together we will reach a new audience and ensure that the links between climate change and poverty are well understood.
Our mission includes generating enthusiasm that will drive world leaders to make bold decisions. While it’s exciting to be among the stars, much of our work takes place behind the scenes, helping those with no voice to reach many, and elevating their stories to the world stage.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Connect4Climate, a sponsor of the Guardian Global Development Professionals Network.
