WASHINGTON, DC (Press Release) — Rabbi Steve Gutow, President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, was one of a diverse group of high-profile leaders including climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People”, who joined more than 140 leaders from faith, business, health, education and communities to develop actionable solutions to climate change at the MomentUs Leadership Summit on May 21 and 22 in Chicago.
“Climate change is real and its effects are worsening. We are reaching the point where the damage is harder and harder to repair. We need a national conversation on how to stir ourselves into action. The MomentUS Leadership Summit is a strong new alliance to do just that and encourage us all to fight climate change and its effects. Hopefully, it will help inflict a serious dent on the consistent increase in our carbon footprint. If we do not something soon, it will become too late,” said Rabbi Gutow.
Leaders from 26 states gathered to discuss the accelerating impacts of man-made climate change, and how Americans can respond. The group included Dr. Georges Benjamin, head of the American Public Health Association, who has testified before Congress that we act “to address the growing threat that climate change poses not just to the environment but also to the health of the American public and the entire global community.” Other leaders involved in the Summit included Rev. Jim Wallis, president and founder of Sojourners, Rev. Joel Hunter, senior pastor of Northland, A Church Distributed, Dr. Antonio Flores, President of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who created the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement.
The gathering took place under the MomentUs banner, which explores ways to move climate change into the American mainstream. The group wants to inspire and empower new leaders to build the public support needed for climate solutions, including clean technology, policy and political efforts.
Responding to the challenges in the U.S. National Climate Assessment, released May 6th, the MomentUs leaders announced a Path to Positive plan for their sectors and the nation. This is a commitment to lead by example on climate change and to engage others in reversing the impacts of climate pollution on our health and economy. To support their efforts, the group will launch specific programs and websites to support faith, health, higher education, business and other communities to provide them with the information and tools they need to address climate change. The first of these programs, Blessed Tomorrow, was launched just prior to the Summit.
The MomentUs Summit marks the first time these diverse leaders have come together to share their expertise, catalyze cross-sector actions and develop ideas for engaging their communities in climate solutions. ecoAmerica plans to hold special meetings for each sector, and bring them together annually.
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Preceding provided by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs