Description:

We need all hands on deck when it comes to dealing with the climate crisis. That is why we are gathering the sharpest minds who care about this issue and want to see leadership and meaningful action at the local level. 

The good news is that there is a lot that can be done at the local and state level when it comes to advancing climate and environmental policy. Learn from our experts on different topics around ground-level campaigns – using the market to further a just transition, the importance of smart climate communications, and the politics of market-based climate solutions.

9:30am – 10:00am
Light Breakfast and Refreshments
10:00am – 11:00am
Using the Market to Drive Climate Solutions
Economists and experts agree that putting a price on carbon is a vital measure in to rapidly transition us to a sustainable and regenerative economy. Rather than pick winners and losers, carbon pricing allows the market – meaning the countless choices made by people every day – to favor cleaner ways of living and doing business.

So what exactly can market-based mechanisms achieve, and how can they be designed to tackle the unique environmental and economic challenges of the Midwest? How can we put equity and environmental justice at the forefront of market policy solutions?

Join our discussion on what best practices in carbon pricing can spur green innovation, rebuild crumbling infrastructure, and free us from the vast social and environmental injustices associated with the polluter-industrial world.
11:15am – 12:15pm
The Political Benefits of Market-Based Climate Policy
In this workshop we’re exploring the existing opportunity to build broad stakeholder support in New Mexico for market-based climate policies, including carbon pricing. Drawing on Climate XChange’s political experiences at the national and state levels, we examine why businesses, environmental justice communities, lawmakers, local governments, budget hawks, conservatives, and sometimes even the fossil fuel industry support market climate policies. We will also look at how carbon pricing can help concurrently achieve other environmental and climate goals, such as increasing renewable energy deployment and improving air quality.
12:30am – 1:30pm
Communicating the Climate Crisis
There is widespread recognition that communicating the climate crisis is a critical part of moving solutions forward. As advocates and professionals in the space, we are in charge of communicating not just the problems we currently face, but also bringing to life the solutions and future we envision. Communications has been a massive challenge in thise space, – we will explore the reasons why it has been so, to the psychological and social barriers in translating knowledge into action, and conclude with a series of best practices. 

You will learn how to become a messenger for change, and gain the tools you’ll need for working with grassroots advocates and forming coalitions to maximize your impact.
1:30pm – 2:00pm
Lunch and Networking