Dallas College brings two thought-provoking keynote speakers to this year’s Sustainability Summit under the theme: “Be the Change You Wish To See in the World.” The summit will be held Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Brookhaven Campus Performance Hall (Building C) and will also be live streamed. Environmental activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl “X” Martinez will deliver the morning keynote message. In the afternoon, attendees will hear from best-selling author and marketing guru Seth Godin.
“This is the first time we’ve been able to simultaneously livestream an in-person sustainability event, so we look forward to welcoming attendees from across North Texas and the United States,” said Georgeann Moss, senior director of sustainability at Dallas College. “These two inspiring keynote speakers will deliver messages of change that provide hope for a sustainable future. The breakout sessions will offer attendees sustainable practices they can implement immediately in their own lives.”
Morning Keynote — Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (in person)
Martinez grew up in a family with deep values for environmental and climate justice and has been an activist since age 6. He has addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations multiple times, has served on panels with prominent figures and has been a guest on late-night television, news and documentary programs.
Martinez said that he finds hope and inspiration in connecting with other young people in communities and campuses around the country. “I think the climate narrative has been very stagnant and uninspiring for a long time,” said Martinez. “Students, our generation of young people, have a crucial role to play in thinking beyond the limitations of the climate movement and looking at the deeper systems of injustice that tie together our struggles beyond just the climate crisis.”
College, he said, is an important time for young people to start to think about what they want for their generation and for their future. He challenges students to reach out and build communities of like-minded people to create change. “Our power comes from collective action. To create change, understand your power, ask questions and study the history of different social movements. Collective power is what has always created the greatest waves culturally, socially, politically,” he said.
Martinez said he feels most alive and authentic when he delivers his message through hip-hop. “We contribute the most to a space when our contributions come from a place of passion, love, inspiration,” he said. “Artists are on the forefront of imagining a world we know is possible. Art is a language that brings us together, unlike political discourse, unlike social activism. I think our movements must be artful or we will fail to capture the imagination of our generation.”
Afternoon Keynote — Seth Godin (prerecorded keynote, live Q&A via Webex)
Entrepreneur and speaker Godin has written 20 best-selling books, which have been translated into 37 languages. More than 20,000 people have attended his altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops online seminars. By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership to the spread of ideas and change, he has motivated and inspired countless people. His blog and podcasts are among the most popular in the world.
All in-person attendees to the Sustainability Summit will receive two copies of “Carbon Almanac: It’s Not Too Late,” a book of climate change infographics and facts that was published this summer. Godin compiled it with more than 300 contributors from around the world. He calls it his most important project because of the urgent challenge to counter climate change. He hopes it will help to “coordinate the actions of a billion people, to inspire and connect and to rewire our economy” to slow climate change.
“In order to undo the poison that carbon has created, we have to change the systems that created it,” said Godin. He sees young people as key to speaking and acting on changing those systems. “The students at Dallas College are wise enough to know that, even if they didn’t cause this problem, they’re the ones that are going to lead us to the solution.
“Today, right now, is your chance to chart a new course. Because if it’s not you, who will?” he said. “When we coordinate actions and focus on governance, markets and industry, it’s amazing how fast the world can change.”
Breakout Sessions and Lunch
During three breakout sessions, Sustainability Summit attendees can choose from six different presentations to help them lead a more sustainable life.
- In the Community (breakout session No. 1 only) — Rudy Bush, Dallas Morning News vice president and editorial page editor, will moderate a panel on community engagement.
- On Our Travels — Local transportation and mobility expert Bud Melton (Halff Associates, special projects) will moderate a sustainable transportation session.
- In the Home — Randy Boys, Oncor electric delivery strategy and technology manager, will moderate a session with tips for making your home more efficient.
- With Our Wallet — Making sustainable purchases (moderator TBA)
- At Work — Meghna Tare, University of Texas at Arlington chief sustainability officer, will moderate a session on making changes for sustainability at work or within your organization.
- In the Environment — Neil Kaufman, Dallas College assistant director of sustainability for urban agriculture, will moderate a session on agriculture and horticulture.
The Dallas College Sustainability Summit is free to attendees and open to the public. Lunch will be included for those who preregister to attend the summit prior to Oct. 21. For more information and to preregister, visit the Sustainability Summit webpage. View directions to the Dallas College Brookhaven Campus and a campus map.
Original source can be found here.
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