Conferences & Symposia

Focus the Nation Climate Change “Teach-In”

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Maryland Secretary of the Environment Shari T. Wilson will deliver the Keynote Address as the Maryland Environmental Law Society (MELS) hosts its second annual Focus the Nation Climate Change "Teach-In" on Thursday, April 2 from 3 - 5:15 p.m. in the Ceremonial Courtroom.

MELS will celebrate the second anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Massachusetts v. EPAwith a one-panel symposium focusing on the ways in which the law is utilized to address the climate change challenge at the local, state, and federal levels. Following Secretary Wilson's keynote, distinguished panelists from different quarters of the climate litigation, legislation, and policy fields will participate in a panel discussion. A reception in the Atrium, catered by Dogwood, an environmentally conscious local restaurant, will follow.

3:10
Welcome: Kristen Weiss
JD Candidate, UM Law, MELS Board Member

3:15
Introduction: Robert V. Percival
Robert F. Stanton Professor of Law & Director, Environmental Law Program

3:20
Keynote Address: Shari T. Wilson
Maryland Secretary of the Environment

3:40
Federal Perspectives: Robert Means
Adjunct Environmental Law Professor

4:05
Environmental Justice & Climate Change: Vernice Miller-Travis
Vice-Chair Maryland Commission on Environmental Justice and Sustainable Communities

4:30
State Perspectives: Diana Dascalu-Joffe, Esq.
CFO Chesapeake Climate Action Network

4:50
Local Perspectives: Councilman Jim Kraft
Baltimore City Council Q&A Session to follow panel discussion

Focus the Nation is a grassroots, student-led initiative to raise awareness of climate change issues and discuss policy solutions. In 2008 over 1,100 universities, colleges and institutions of higher learning participated in the effort. Maryland Law students are determined to do their part to contribute in some way to the climate policy debate through the pursuit of positive, constructive discussion of real action and the real sacrifices necessary to achieve it.

Focus the Nation is dedicated to empowering young people to accelerate the transition to a more just and prosperous clean energy future. Please join our discussion of global warming solutions as we spread education and awareness at this year's Focus the Nation teach-in. This is an important opportunity to involve citizens and local elected officials in a discussion on local, regional and national solutions to global warming.