Nakate on Climate Justice and Youth Activism
Founder of the Rise Up Climate Movement Vanessa Nakate discusses the global climate crisis and the importance of elevating the next generation of underrepresented environmental leaders with Jamia Jowers.
About This Event
The UN estimates 1.3 billion people in Africa are “extremely vulnerable” to climate change as the continent is warming faster than the global average. Yet, African voices and leaders are frequently overlooked in the global climate movement. On Earth Day, leading climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate joins the Council to discuss the centrality of the next generation and underrepresented voices from the global south in addressing the climate crisis and building a sustainable, hopeful future for all.
Copies of Vanessa Nakate’s book, A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis, are available to purchase through our local book partner, The Book Cellar.
About the Speakers
Founder, Rise Up Climate Movement
Vanessa Nakate is a leading climate justice activist and the founder of the Rise Up Climate Movement. As Uganda’s first Fridays for Future protestor, Nakate has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine and honored as one of BBC’s 100 Women. She spoke at COP26 and is the author of the 2021 book "A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis."
Executive Director, What's Your Forte Foundation
At the What's Your Forte Foundation, Jamia Jowers designs innovative programming to solve the most pressing challenges faced by Chicago's South and West side neighborhoods. She has over 15 years of experience in shaping U.S. foreign policy and international security and serves as president of the board of directors at the Chicago Refugee Coalition.