FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT
Andrew Whelan, CleanAIRE NC, (919) 408-7031, [email protected]
Take a Stand for Climate Justice and Healthier Communities at the 2023 NC BREATHE Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — CleanAIRE NC’s eighth annual NC BREATHE conference will take place Thursday, April 6, at the 658 Center in Charlotte, N.C. Sponsored by Atrium Health and the US EPA Air, Climate, and Energy Research Program, the hybrid event will bring together a diverse group of health professionals, researchers, students, frontline communities, and policymakers to talk about and advocate for the health of North Carolina and its people. This year’s conference theme is “Climate Justice: Our Path to Healthier Communities.”
The conference is an opportunity for attendees to advocate for the health of North Carolinians by proposing solutions that address climate change and air pollution. Using evidence-based science, attendees will develop specific recommendations to share with decision-makers.
“The more we know, the better we can advocate for public health and environmental justice at the local, state, and federal level,” said Kirsten Minor, CleanAIRE NC’s health manager and coordinator of the NC Breathe conference. “We invite people to come to learn, make connections, and advocate for health equity, environmental justice, and climate change.”
Keynote speakers include Dr. Aaron Levy, DO, a pediatrician at Atrium Health, who will share his perspective on caring for children who struggle with asthma — and how air pollution and climate change can exacerbate the health conditions of the patients he treats. Mustafa Santiago Ali, founder of Revitalization Strategies and executive vice president of the National Wildlife Federation, will offer guidance on partnering with environmental justice communities and sharing tools for community-driven projects like CleanAIRE NC’s Historic West End Green District partnership.
Lisa Sorg, environmental journalist with NC Policy Watch and co-winner of the National Press Foundation Thomas L. Stokes Award for Best Energy and Environment Writing, will close out the conference. Additional speakers and panelists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Students are invited to submit posters showcasing research abstracts focused on public health, environmental health, health equity, and/or climate change. Three student abstract authors will be selected to give short presentations about their work during the conference. Posters of abstracts must be submitted by Monday, March 6, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
CONFERENCE DETAILS
Registration is now open. Students attend for free. Attendance fees are $100 (in person) and $50 (virtual). Early-bird registration ends on March 1, 2023.
Check the event page for updates and announcements.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Thank you to Atrium Health and the US EPA Air, Climate, and Energy Research Program for sponsoring NC BREATHE 2023. If your company or organization is interested in partnering with us, please download our Sponsorship & Exhibitor Guide or contact CleanAIRE NC’s Philanthropy Director, Kerstan Ryan, at [email protected], or 704-307-9528. Individual donors can support our work here.
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CleanAIRE NC is a statewide nonprofit organization advocating for the health of all North Carolinians by pursuing equitable and collaborative solutions that address climate change and air pollution. Learn more at www.cleanAIREnc.org
