Alex Epstein co-founded the New York 2 New Orleans Coalition, a network of NYC high school students addressing parallel community struggles. After moving to Philadelphia for college, he co-founded

Alex Epstein co-founded the New York 2 New Orleans Coalition, a network of NYC high school students addressing parallel community struggles. After moving to Philadelphia for college, he co-founded The Philadelphia Urban Creators (PUC), an organization of young community organizers dedicated to fostering sustainable and equitable development from the ground up.

Epstein is a recipient of the prestigious Brower Youth Award. These awards recognize North American individuals aged 13 to 22 who demonstrate outstanding leadership on projects with significant positive environmental and social impact. Learn more at Brower Youth Awards.

Tania Pulido runs the Berryland community garden in Richmond, CA. More than just a food source in a food desert, it offers local youth summer apprenticeships to learn about climate change and

Tania Pulido runs the Berryland community garden in Richmond, CA. More than just a food source in a food desert, it offers local youth summer apprenticeships to learn about climate change and environmental racism. You can watch a video about her work.

Pulido actively campaigns for her community's health, including against the local Chevron oil refinery. Her dedication earned her the Brower Youth Award.

The Brower Youth Awards recognize North American youth (ages 13-22) who demonstrate outstanding leadership in projects with positive environmental and social impact.

Despite California's global warming legislation, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, potentially leading to a four-degree annual temperature increase. This highlights an urgent

Despite California's global warming legislation, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, potentially leading to a four-degree annual temperature increase. This highlights an urgent environmental challenge.

Randy Hayes, founder of the Rainforest Action Network and described by the Wall Street Journal as “an environmental pit bull,” is addressing this. From Washington D.C., he leads Foundation Earth, a new organization dedicated to rethinking human systems to align with the planet’s life support capabilities.

Embracing authenticity and dismissing the need for universal approval is crucial for advancing sustainability.

Reverend Renee Ward exemplifies this by fearlessly championing causes close to

Embracing authenticity and dismissing the need for universal approval is crucial for advancing sustainability.

Reverend Renee Ward exemplifies this by fearlessly championing causes close to her heart, unconcerned with public opinion. Her impactful speech was sponsored by TEDxConcordiaUPortland.

Their 2012 speech schedule is available here.

Van Jones, founder and president of Green For All in Oakland, California, is dedicated to creating "green pathways out of poverty" and expanding the coalition fighting global warming. Learn more

Van Jones, founder and president of Green For All in Oakland, California, is dedicated to creating "green pathways out of poverty" and expanding the coalition fighting global warming. Learn more about Van Jones on his website.

His latest book, Rebuild the Dream, can be ordered via Amazon. A complete video featuring Van Jones is also available here.

The challenge of citizen dividends in oil-rich nations is explored by Johnny West, a social entrepreneur and writer with 20 years of experience in the oil industry.

West

The challenge of citizen dividends in oil-rich nations is explored by Johnny West, a social entrepreneur and writer with 20 years of experience in the oil industry.

West began his career covering energy markets as a Reuters correspondent in the Middle East in the early 1990s. He is the founder of OpenOil and a transparency activist.

This award-winning documentary chronicles the remarkable two-year journey of Julia Butterfly

This award-winning documentary chronicles the remarkable two-year journey of Julia Butterfly Hill.

She lived 200 feet high in a redwood tree, protecting the thousand-year-old giant from destruction.

This award-winning documentary chronicles the remarkable story of a woman who spent two years living 200 feet up in a redwood tree.

Her extraordinary journey was undertaken to protect the

This award-winning documentary chronicles the remarkable story of a woman who spent two years living 200 feet up in a redwood tree.

Her extraordinary journey was undertaken to protect the thousand-year-old tree from destruction.

During the Copenhagen Climate Talks, Kenyan tree-planting activist Wangari Maathai was appointed a UN Messenger of Peace. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon bestowed the honor, symbolized by a

During the Copenhagen Climate Talks, Kenyan tree-planting activist Wangari Maathai was appointed a UN Messenger of Peace. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon bestowed the honor, symbolized by a pinned dove, in a ceremony witnessed by RRI's Elizabeth Baker, a delegate associated with Maathai's Green Belt Movement.

Professor Maathai emphasized activism's crucial role in safeguarding civil society's global interests. She urged for decisive climate action within a Copenhagen agreement.

Jerry Mander, founder of the International Forum on Globalization (IFG), author, and activist, introduced the discussion. He advocated for "less products, not greener products," and a focus on

Jerry Mander, founder of the International Forum on Globalization (IFG), author, and activist, introduced the discussion. He advocated for "less products, not greener products," and a focus on "local rather than global" solutions.

Maude Barlow then presented key insights from her new book, *BLUE COVENANT: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water*.