Climate Festival at John Dam Plaza on Saturday

Citizens’ Climate Education is hosting the Peoples’ Climate Festival at John Dam Plaza in Richland on Saturday, April 29th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family friendly festival will help people of all ages understand climate change, how it affects us, and what actions we can take. Attendees may also wear nature-based costumes and create signs to carry along George Washington Way during a “Species Climate March or Procession” to conclude the festival. 

The event will include a variety of speakers, music, and educational and hands-on activities.  The notable speakers will share scientific, public health, and faith-based perspectives about climate change and climate action. Children’s activities include sign and mask making, rope labyrinth, play parachute, puppet show. There will also be food vendors and face painting.

Speakers Include: 

2:00 Opening Words and Blessing (Shannon Truex and Doak Mansfield, CUUC)

2:15 Jessie Dye,  Program and Outreach Director for Earth Ministry, Seattle, will discuss climate change from a faith perspective. 

2:30  Music by Mary Hartman

2:45 Dr. Rick Smith, Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Columbia Basin College, will discuss responding to climate change in the Tri-Cities. 

3:00 Music (CUUC choir?)

3:15 Dr. Noel Hubbs, Naturopathic Doctor with Stellar You Wellness Center will present the connections between human health and the health of the planet. 

3:30 Music (Mike and Shannon?)

3:45 Dr. James Conca, Senior Scientist, UFA Ventures, Inc., Richland,  will talk about the role of nuclear power in the mitigation of climate change. 

4:00 Music (Reg Unterseher and others)

4:15 Dr. Amy Persons, District Health Officer for the Benton-Franklin Health District, will focus on climate change as a public health concern. 

4:30 Dr. Richard Badalamente, will touch on policy approaches to addressing climate change.

4:45 Closing Words and prep for March  (Shannon)

5:00 Species Climate Procession/March – dress up, bring signs and join others!

Tables:

Faith Action Network and Earth Ministries

Friends of Mid-Columbia Wildlife Refuges

Go Green Tri-Cities and SEENet (Sustainable Energy and Environmental Network)

Tri-Cities Citizen’s Climate Lobby

Solar WA

Stellar You Wellness Center

WA Environmental Council (WEC)

WA Native Plant Society

Electric Vehicle show

John Dam Plaza is located at 815 George Washington Way in Richland. Parking is available at the Federal Building, City Hall and around the downtown area. 

For more information, visit Tri-Cities Citizens’ Climate Lobby on Facebook or  www.facebook.com/events/603493363173714/