RCE Greater Atlanta - 2023

Combating Climate Change and Environmental Injustice – Conference Track at the Atlanta Global Studies Symposium 2023
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Combating Climate Change and Environmental Injustice – Conference Track at the Atlanta Global Studies Symposium 2023
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Greater Atlanta
Contributing organization(s) : 
Atlanta Global Studies Center (AGSC)
Georgia State University
Georgia Institute of Technology
RCE Greater Atlanta
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Stuart Minson
Organizational Affiliation: 
Atlanta Global Studies Center, Georgia Institute of Technology
E-mail: 
stuart.minson@gatech.edu
Format of project: 
Conference track consisting of discussion panels, with audio/video recordings available on YouTube
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Friday, July 21, 2023
Web link: 
https://atlantaglobalstudies.gatech.edu/2023-symposium-friday
Additional resources: 
https://atlantaglobalstudies.gatech.edu/countries-corporations
https://atlantaglobalstudies.gatech.edu/energy-burden
https://atlantaglobalstudies.gatech.edu/cities-systems
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
Georgia Tech Strategic Plan
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Americas
Country: 
United States
Location(s): 
Greater Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Atlanta Global Studies Center
781 Marietta St
Atlanta, GA, 30318
Ecosystem(s):
Urban/Peri-urban
Target Audience:
Higher
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Greater Atlanta is a diverse multicultural metropolitan urban area, with a population of roughly 6 million people.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Impact of extreme weather events; strategies for legislative, policy, and practical changes in complex urban governance systems; and the inequity of household energy burdens.
Contents
Status: 
Completed
Period: 
January, 2023 to April, 2023
Rationale: 
For institutions of higher education to prepare the next generation through education for sustainable development, they must train faculty, partner with community organizations and corporations, and advocate for policy change at the state and national levels. These things require knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration among each of these groups.
Objectives: 
The objective of the Project was to share best practices and better enable faculty to integrate awareness of and strategies for addressing SDG 13 into the learning of students in higher education, as well as to engage current students in the process.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
RCE Greater Atlanta’s Higher Education Learning Community (HELC) and Youth Network organized three sessions forming a conference track on “Combating Climate Change and Environmental Injustices” for faculty, students, and community groups, as part of a major conference, the Atlanta Global Studies Symposium 2023.

(1) Countries and Corporations Combating Climate Change and Environmental Injustices (HELC)
This session considered the business case for sustainability, from the perspective of both countries and corporations, highlighting local-global partnerships and considering the implications for equity.

(2) Energy Burden in Atlanta: A Roleplay Simulation (Youth Network)
The goals of the session were to introduce students to the basic concepts of energy burden and to help them consider various energy realities faced by different households and communities. The session included an exploration of smart solutions and opportunities for future engagement.

(3) Cities and Systems Combating Climate Change and Environmental Injustices (HELC)
This session considered the business case for sustainability, from the perspective of cities and logistical system-builders, highlighting local-global partnerships and considering the implications for equity.
Size of academic audience: 
150
Results: 
Faculty, students, business leaders, and community action groups discussed challenges and shared best practices and strategies for addressing SDG 13: Climate Action.
Key messages: 
RCE Greater Atlanta organized a conference track with two panel discussions and a roleplay simulation on the theme of “Combating Climate Change and Environmental Injustices”, bringing together faculty, students, business leaders, and community action groups, to share best practices and strategies for addressing SDG 13 through ESD and action throughout the region.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
The Project was led by the RCE’s Higher Education Learning Community and by its Youth Network. It complements a number of other local RCE activities, including Equinox, a summit on the UN SDGs; the SDG Futures Fellowship, a series of student-led projects addressing SDGs through community partnerships; the Community of Practice on Teaching with the SDGs; the Drawdown Georgia Equity Opportunities project; and the Community of Practice on Academic-Community Partnerships.
Funding: 
Event costs were covered by the Atlanta Global Studies Center (funded by the US Department of Education, Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia State University), as well as sponsorship by Emory University and the City of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon 2023 Symposium Friday.png (193.86 KB) Conference Poster AGSC
Image icon Cities and Systems.JPG (186.99 KB) Sustainability experts lead discussion panel AGSC
Image icon Cities and Systems 2.JPG (276.34 KB) Business and government leaders present sustainability strategies AGSC
Image icon Countries and Corporations.JPG (253.89 KB) Business and government leaders present sustainability strategies AGSC
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Direct
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
Theme
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Forests/Trees 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes