Climate Change Solutions

February 18, 2021

The Focus of the GCA’s Virtual NAL 2021

Did you know that coastal wetlands can store five times as much carbon as a tropical forest over time; peatlands store ten times more carbon than other kinds of ecosystems? Climate change solutions such as these will be featured at the GCA's 38th Annual National Affairs & Legislation Conference on February 23rd through 25th. Since 1913, The Garden Club of America (GCA) has been advocating for the safety of our environment. Efforts continue to this day. 

This month, the GCA will host over 1,500 club members from around the country at its virtual National Affairs & Legislation Conference. Throughout the three-day event, participants will explore the solutions offered by oceans, natural systems, innovation, and energy efficiency as well as transportation and infrastructure. Over the first two days, we will be hearing from expert speakers on the front lines of the fight against climate change, scholars, and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. On the third day, the GCA’s legislative priorities will be announced and club members will begin their advocacy efforts (virtually).    

One of four featured keynote speakers is John Podesta, the founder and chair of the board of the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Center for American Progress. He served as White House Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton and as counselor to President Barack Obama, where he was responsible for coordinating the administration’s climate policy and initiatives. In 2008, he served as co-chair of President Obama’s transition team, where he coordinated the priorities of the incoming administration’s agenda and spearheaded its appointments of Cabinet secretaries and senior political appointees. 

Other speakers for the 2021 conference include: Christy Goldfuss, senior vice president, Center for American Progress and Tim Profeta, chair, Nicholas School of Public Policy at Duke University, and authors of the Biden Administration’s Climate 2021 Plan; Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, author, strategist, and teacher. Her writings include the New York Times bestseller Drawdown; Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist, author, endowed professor, and United Nations Champion of the Environment; Nat Keohane, senior vice president for International Climate at the Environmental Defense Fund and former special assistant to President Barack Obama; Lynn Scarlett, chief external affairs officer at The Nature Conservancy, former deputy secretary of the interior and chair of the Science Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); and Julie Packard, chief executive officer, The Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Elected officials include Senators Shelly Moore Capito (WV), William Cassidy (LA), Chris Coons (DE), Rob Portman (OH), Debbie Stabenow (MI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI). Representatives include Suzanne Bonamici (OR), Kathy Castor (FL), Peter DeFazio (OR) Garrett Graves (LA), Jared Huffman (CA), Joe Neguse (CO) and Chellie Pingree (ME).

From the time of its founding, The Garden Club of America has been an active force in the promotion of environmental awareness and the preservation of natural resources. To learn more please visit GCA National Affairs & Legislation.

 

John Podesta, founder and chair of the board of the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Center for American Progress

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