Dear Sustainability Leadership Council Partners,
The start of the fall semester is right around the corner (the virtual corner that is). We are mindful that the recent decision to move away from in-person teaching for undergraduate students at the Homewood campus this fall, and other responses to the pandemic, are causing havoc with your work in many ways. We are grateful for the ability to continue to engage with all of you, regardless of the format, and appreciate your resilience and flexibility as all aspects of life—work and home—remain in flux. In accordance with university operations, the SLC and all of its subcommittees and working groups will continue to meet virtually for the coming semester. Virtual operations will also extend to the SLC’s fall event calendar.
On Friday, September 25th from 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM the SLC Steering Committee will be updating all members and partners at the annual SLC Meeting of the Whole. This is an opportunity to reflect on the work the council has completed in the past 12 months but, most importantly, to energize our members for the coming year. The following week, on Tuesday, September 29th from 10:30 AM -12:00 PM, the SLC will be hosting a virtual Environmental Justice Panel Discussion. Moderated by Academic Subcommittee member, Dr. Genee Smith, this event seeks to bring together practitioner and community voices from Baltimore City to discuss the intersection of social justice and climate and environmental concerns. This event is open to the JHU community and we look forward to impactful conversations surrounding environmental justice issues throughout Baltimore and at Johns Hopkins. Details on the final panel composition are still being solidified, but we look forward to sharing those with you shortly.
This panel discussion is one in a series of efforts by the SLC to incorporate environmental justice more holistically into the work of the council. Additional recommendations are formally outlined in an Environmental Justice Concept Paper which is entering its final round of edits and comments before it will be circulated to the wider SLC in the coming weeks. We continue to welcome your thoughts on the role of the SLC in addressing this important topic as well as suggestions on appropriate ways for the Council to take action. Please share any considerations and suggestions at this link.
Lastly, we are also pleased to share that the SLC’s Steering Committee is outlining the roles of a new Environmental Justice Working Group, which will begin meeting this coming semester. Although details are still being discussed, this is an opportunity for those passionate about this topic to engage with fellow SLC members in discussions and—more importantly—action to advance environmental justice work. We look forward to sharing more information about this Working Group in the coming weeks, and if you are interested in contributing as a member or have suggestions, please share your interest and thoughts here.
As always, thank you all.
Stay safe and be well,
Peter Winch & Bob McLean
Sustainability Leadership Council Co-Chairs
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