Toward a Better Future Transforming the Climate Crisis

TOWARD A BETTER FUTURE TRANSFORMING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

SYMPOSIUM FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 2, 2019

Presented in partnership with the University of St. Thomas, Houston GETTING AROUND SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

The Symposium will be held at both the Rothko Chapel and the University of St. Thomas, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019 2 – 5:15pm with an evening reception at the Transart Foundation for Art & Anthropology. Locations for The Science, Policy, Technology, and Economics 7 – 8:30pm each session are reflected in the map below and adjoining schedule. of Climate Change: Past, Present and Future The Human Toll of Climate Change: Presentations and Roundtable Discussions A Reporter’s Reflections UST, Jerabeck Center, 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room Keynote Address by Somini Sengupta THE TRANSART FOUNDATION Rothko Chapel 5 – 6:30pm FOR ART & ANTHROPOLOGY “Exitium” (On the Edge of Destruction) 8:30 – 9pm W ALABAMA Exhibition Opening and Reception Reception MULBERRY The Transart Foundation for Art and Anthropology Rothko Chapel Plaza 7 – 8:30pm MORAN PARKING P FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 Not Ok: A Little Movie About a Small CENTER – ENTRY Glacier at the End of the World (2018) 8 – 8:30am Film Screening and Q&A Continental Breakfast UST, Jones Hall SUL ROSS Rothko Chapel Plaza ROTHKO CHAPEL JONES SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 HALL 8:30 – 8:45am Morning Observance PLAZA UNIVERSITY OF 8 – 8:30am ST. THOMAS (UST) Rothko Chapel Continental Breakfast Rothko Chapel Plaza 8:45 – 10:15am BRANARD Navigating Climate Change: 8:30 – 9am An Interfaith Conversation YUPON GRAUSTARK JERABECK YOAKUM Morning Observance and Poetry CENTER Panel Rothko Chapel Rothko Chapel 9 – 10:15am 10:15 – 10:30am Young Activists Speak Out Break Panel W MAIN N Rothko Chapel 10:30 – 11:45am Impact of Climate Change on the 10:15 – 10:45am

MT VERNON MONTROSE Mind, Body, and Spirit Break Panel Rothko Chapel 10:45am – 12:15pm ROTHKO CHAPEL PARKING Communicating Climate Change Please plan ample time to ﬁnd parking prior to 11:45am – 12pm 3900 Yupon COLQUITT Presentations and Panel 713.524.9839 your arrival. Free street parking is available on Break Sul Ross, Yupon, Branard, and Mulberry streets. UST, Jerabeck Center 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room Oce Hours: M – F, 9am – 5pm Be sure to follow all parking regulations and 12pm rothkochapel.org signs, as street parking is monitored by the City 12:15 – 12:35pm [email protected] of Houston. Lunch Lunch and Words of Mindfulness The Rothko Chapel and grounds will close to the public UST, Jerabeck Center, 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room UST, Jerabeck Center 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room beginning Monday, March 4, for restoration. MORAN PARKING CENTER 12:15 – 12:30pm ATRICHMOND UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS 12:35 – 12:55pm UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS, 3807 Graustark Welcome from the President Remarks from the Mayor of Houston HOUSTON (UST) of the University of St. Thomas UST, Jerabeck Center 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room Suggested Parking, $5 per entry 3800 Montrose UST, Jerabeck Center, 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room 713.522.7911 1 – 2:30pm 12:30 – 1:45pm stthom.edu Legislation and Public Policy Strategies Environmental Injustices faced by Frontline, Panel Indigenous, and Vulnerable Communities JERABECK CENTER UST, Jerabeck Center 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room 4000 Mt Vernon Lunch Panel 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room UST, Jerabeck Center, 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room 2:30 – 3pm Closing Reflections and Moving Forward JONES HALL 1:45 – 2pm UST, Jerabeck Center 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room 3910 Yoakum Break Thursday – Saturday TRANSART FOUNDATION Interactive Poet-Tree by Writers in the Schools FOR ART & ANTHROPOLOGY (WITS) Bayouth Collective 1412 W Alabama thetransartfoundation.org A NOTE OF WELCOME

Welcome to the Rothko Chapel’s 2019 Symposium, Toward a Better Future: Transforming the Climate Crisis, offered in partnership with the University of St. Thomas. Since its opening in 1971, the Chapel has been an important place to engage social issues that challenge our sense of being at its deep- est levels. While the issues addressed have been diverse and wide ranging, the synergy between contemplation and action continues to connect all we do, reminding us that we are all part of the same human community and are stronger and more effective when we work together.

An urgent concern is the impact that climate change has on all of us and our collective responsibility to address the human causes that contribute to a warming planet. Of particular interest is the impact climate change has on politically, economically and socially marginalized communities that are experiencing critical problems such as community displacement due to rising sea levels, drought and the loss of arable land, and heightened health issues including mental health and stress related disorders. The symposium will explore many of these issues, as well as provide a timely opportunity to engage with innovators and leaders from diverse sectors who are developing and shaping the technologies, policies, perspectives and practices that are moving us to a more sustainable, livable and possibility-filled world.

We are very fortunate to have a talented group of presenters including energy sector experts, scientists, religious leaders, youth activists, artists, political leaders, and people whose individual and communal lives are being directly impacted by climate change. Embedded in their collective under- standing of and approach to addressing climate change is the affirmation that while human beings are major contributors to a rapidly warming climate, we also have the opportunity to change the course we find ourselves on to ensure that the earth can sustain life for future generations. By bringing together such a diverse group of experts, the symposium makes clear that cross-sector engagement is the key to developing lasting solutions that contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Thank you for your participation in this important gathering. May it strengthen our collective resolve to effectively address a problem of world-wide significance that demands our attention today.

David Leslie, Executive Director, Rothko Chapel SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, Rajwant Singh, President at EcoSikh and 11:45am – 12pm 1:45 – 2pm Executive Director of Guru Gobind Singh Break Break FEBRUARY 28, 2019 Foundation Rabbi Daniel Swartz, Executive Director of 12pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, 2nd Floor: 2 – 5:15pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, 7 – 9pm, Rothko Chapel Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life Scanlan Room 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room The Human Toll of Climate Change: (COEJL) and Spiritual Leader at Temple Hesed Lunch The Science, Policy, Technology, A Reporter’s Reflections Moderator: Steve Kolmes, Chair of the and Economics of Climate Change: Keynote Address by Somini Sengupta, Environmental Studies Department and Molter 12:15 – 12:30pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, Past, Present and Future The New York Times International Climate Chair in Science at the University of Portland 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room Presentations and Reporter and George Polk Award-winning This interfaith conversation will explore the map Words of Welcome from the Roundtable Discussions foreign correspondent of climate change and how to navigate it through President of the University of Welcome and Overview by David Leslie, the lenses of Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh Jim Blackburn, Co-Director of Severe Storm Executive Director of the Rothko Chapel traditions. Panelists will speak about what they see St. Thomas, Dr. Richard L. Ludwick Prediction, Education, and Evacuation from as possible paths to take, and whether we might Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University Climate change is not only about the planet—it’s reimagine new ones going forward. about the past, present, and future of the people 12:30 – 1:45pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, Mark Boling, Founder and CEO of who live here. Sengupta shares reflections from her 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room 2C Energy, LLC 10:15 – 10:30am writings about the human toll of climate change on Exploring the Impact on Astrid Caldas, Senior Climate Scientist vulnerable communities around the world. Break Frontline, Indigenous, and at Union of Concerned Scientists Vulnerable Communities Maha N. Haji, PhD, Research Affiliate at 10:30 – 11:45am, Rothko Chapel Message from Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Marshall Islander poet and Panel FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 Exploring the Impact of Climate Amy Myers Jaffe, David M. Rubenstein Senior Change on Mind, Body, and Spirit Byron Encalade, native of East Pointe- Fellow for Energy and the Environment and 8 – 8:30am, Rothko Chapel Plaza Panel A-La Hache, LA, third-generation oyster- Director of the Program on Energy Security man, President of Louisiana Oystermen Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Founder, Host and and Climate Change at the Council on Foreign Continental Breakfast Association Executive Producer of First Voices Indigenous Relations Radio and Member of Cheyenne River Lakota Bryan Parras, Co-Founder of Texas 8:30 – 8:45am, Rothko Chapel Michael Skelly, Senior Advisor of Renewable Nation of South Dakota Environmental Justice Advocacy Energy & Sustainability at Lazard Morning Observance Services (t.e.j.a.s.) and Dirty Fuels Christie Manning, PhD, Assistant Professor Gulf Coast Organizer at Sierra Club This cross-sector, interactive session will shine a Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Founder, Host and of Environmental Studies and Psychology light on the perspectives and work of scientists, Executive Producer of First Voices Indigenous at Macalester College Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault economists, policy makers, environmentalists, and Radio and Member of Cheyenne River Lakota Indian Nation in the Pacific Northwest Umair A. Shah, Executive Director and engineers, and will include presentations, break- Nation of South Dakota Local Health Authority for Harris County Moderator: Earthea Nance, PhD, PE, CFM, out discussions and a moderated conversation. Public Health Associate Professor in the Department of 8:45 – 10:15am, Rothko Chapel Urban Planning and Environmental Policy 5 – 6:30pm, The Transart Foundation Moderator: Alejandro Chaoul, Director of at Texas Southern University for Art and Anthropology Navigating Climate Change: The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute An Interfaith Conversation and Director of Education at the Integrative From oyster beds in Louisiana, to the Quinault “Exitium” (On the Edge of Destruction) Panel Medicine Program at The University of Texas Indian Nation in Washington state, low income by Maria Cristina Jadick MD Anderson Cancer Center communities and communities of color are Vijaya Nagarajan, Associate Professor in Exhibition Opening and Reception disproportionately impacted by the changing cli- Department of Theology and Religious The impact of climate change is vast—impacting mate. This presentation and discussion will share Climate change is causing extreme weather Studies and the Program of Environmental our countries, cities, communities, homes and firsthand accounts of the realities three specific conditions worldwide: entire communities are Studies at University of San Francisco each of us on a personal level. This conversation communities currently face, including their work destroyed by catastrophic events driven by will explore the physical, psychological and spiri- Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, PhD, toward change and the creative opportunities hurricane force winds, water, drought, and fire. tual effects of the changing climate, engaging the Dean of Science and Sustainability at that arise to combat these injustices. Hurricane Harvey exposed a collective “failure perspectives of a public health official, a research Aquinas College of imagination” to fathom its widespread havoc- psychologist, and an Indigenous leader from the wreaking power. Artist Maria Cristina Jadick Lakota Tribe. responds to these climate realities with multi- media sculpture and installation. PRESENTER BIOS

7 – 8:30pm, UST, Jones Hall The people who are the least responsible for 12:35 – 12:55pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, Shivas Amin climate change are the ones who will be the 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room Not Ok: A Little Movie About a Dr. Shivas Amin is an Associate most impacted long-term. Knowing this, they are Remarks by the Mayor of Houston Small Glacier at the End of the taking the lead in making their demands for a Professor of Biology at the World (2018) livable climate known to the leaders of our cities Mayor Sylvester Turner University of St. Thomas (UST). He currently serves as the Project Welcome and Introduction by Shivas Amin, and countries. This panel will explore what young leaders from different parts of the country are Director for a Hispanic-Serving PhD, Associate Professor of Biology at the 1 – 2:30pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, doing to lead us toward a better climate future. Institution Science Technology and Mathematics University of St. Thomas 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room Examples include a class action lawsuit against (HSI-STEM) Grant Program from the U.S. Film Screening and Q&A with Dominic Boyer, the government, a national youth-led protest Legislation and Department of Education, which is a 5-year, $3.8 Professor of Anthropology and Cymene Howe, march, and joining local advocacy groups and Public Policy Strategies million-dollar, Title III project aimed at improving Associate Professor and Director of Graduate the retention and persistence of low income and/ empowering young people to make change. Panel Studies in the Department of Anthropology at or Hispanic students in the STEM disciplines. Dr. Rice University Lara Cottingham, Chief of Staff of the Amin is a native Houstonian whose main educa- 10:15 – 10:45am Administration and Regulatory Affairs tional goal is to help all people understand their Iceland is a country known across the world for Break Department and the Chief Sustainability impact on their local environment. He currently the beauty of its 400+ glaciers. But it is now Officer for the City of Houston teaches several courses at UST, including General losing 11 billion tons of glacial ice each year Biology and Ecology. because of global warming. In 2014, Icelandic 10:45am – 12:15pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, Jay Blazek Crossley, Executive Director scientists announced that the country’s first 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room of Farm&City major glacier, Okjökull (known to most by its Jim Blackburn Communicating Climate Change Luke Metzger, Executive Director of nickname ‘Ok’), had ceased to be. In 2017, U.S. Jim Blackburn is a professor in Presentations and Panel Environment Texas anthropologists Cymene Howe and Dominic the practice of environmental law Boyer teamed up with Icelandic filmmaker Tiokasin Ghosthorse, Founder, Host and Bakeyah Nelson, Executive Director of in the Civil and Environmental Ragnar Hansson to make a documentary film Executive Producer of First Voices Indigenous Air Alliance Houston Engineering Department at Rice about what losing their first glacier means to Radio and Member of Cheyenne River Lakota University. He is also a practic- Moderator: Elizabeth Love, Senior Program Icelanders and what it should mean to all of us. Nation of South Dakota ing environmental lawyer with the Blackburn & Officer for the Houston Endowment Carter law firm in Houston and a Rice fac- Jim Morris, journalist and Interim CEO of Positive climate change outcomes depend on ulty scholar at the Baker Institute. At Rice, he the Center for Public Integrity sound legislative decisions at the local, state, serves as the Co-Director of the Severe Storm SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2019 Eve Mosher, artist and creator of the and national levels. Learn about current policy Prediction, Education and Evacuation from HighWaterLine project initiatives and how we can be more effective Disaster (SSPEED) Center and as director of 8 – 8:30am, Rothko Chapel Plaza advocates. the undergraduate minor in energy and water Nick Mullins, former Appalachian coal miner sustainability. At the SSPEED Center, Blackburn and founder of Breaking Clean, an envi- Continental Breakfast has been responsible for the development of ronmental communication firm working to 2:30 – 3pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room landscape-scale green space solutions for surge develop messaging strategies across socio- 8:30 – 9am, Rothko Chapel damage mitigation, including the Lone Star cultural and political divides Closing Reflections and Morning Observance and Poetry Coastal National Recreation Area. Moderator: Christie Manning, PhD, Assistant Moving Forward Jackson Neal, Houston Youth Poet Professor of Environmental Studies and Reflect on the range of topics covered in the Mark Boling Laureate and National Youth Poet Laureate Psychology at Macalester College three-day symposium and discuss some of the Mark Boling is Founder and CEO of Ambassador many opportunities for action and advocacy. Our current climate crisis demands that we 2C Energy, a Houston-based effort identify new modes of communication to convey to provide low-carbon energy solu- 9 – 10:15am Rothko Chapel the urgent moment we find ourselves in and tions to meet the dual challenges Young Activists Speak Out to demonstrate why people should care. This of climate change and economic Panel presentation and conversation will follow the work growth. 2C Energy’s mission is to bring modern and perspectives of an artist, former coal miner, energy to the millions that lack it today, enhance Juan Elizondo, from Houston, Texas, environmental journalist and Indigenous leader. energy security around the world, and prove that Partnerships Coordinator and Instructional rather than hurting jobs, the low carbon future Specialist at Furr High School 12:15 – 12:35pm, UST, Jerabeck Center, provides jobs. Before founding 2C Energy, Boling Jayden Foytlin, from Rayne, Louisiana, 2nd Floor: Scanlan Room was Executive Vice President of Southwestern an Indigenous climate activist, and a plaintiff Energy Company and President of Southwestern’s Lunch and Words of Mindfulness in the case, Juliana v. United States V+ Development Solutions division, where he Father Chris Valka, CSB, Chaplain and identified, developed and implemented solutions Nadia Nazar, from Baltimore, Maryland, Director of Campus Ministry at the University to the challenges of unconventional resource Co-Founder, Co-Executive Director, and of St. Thomas development that balance environmental, social Art Director of Zero Hour and economic impacts. Moderator: Estrella Sainburg, GreenFaith Organizer Dominic Lara Cottingham Byron Encalade Maha N. Haji Boyer and With 13 years of communications Byron Encalade is a native of East Dr. Maha Haji is a Research Affiliate Cymene Howe and public policy experience, Pointe à la Hache, LA, a small fishing with the Massachusetts Institute In 2017, U.S. anthro- Lara is the Chief of Staff of the village in Plaquemines Parish, of Technology (MIT). She received pologists Cymene Administration and Regulatory Louisiana. He engages in harvesting her PhD at MIT in 2017, working in Howe and Dominic Affairs Department and the Chief seafood, oysters and shrimp; also in the Precision Engineering Research Boyer teamed up with Icelandic filmmaker Sustainability Officer for the City of Houston. In transporting seafood along the gulf coast states. Group on ways in which existing offshore struc- Ragnar Hansson to make a documentary film addition to leading the Mayor’s Sustainability He is currently serving as Plaquemines Parish, tures, such as wind turbines and oil platforms, about what losing their first glacier means to Office, Lara is the public face of ARA in the media Louisiana Constable 3rd Ward, American Legion could be retrofitted to also harvest critical minerals Icelanders and what it should mean to all of us. as well as before City Council, industry stake- Post 430 Judge Advocate, Louisiana Wildlife & such as uranium and cobalt from the ocean. The result is “Not Ok,” a film featuring interviews holders, and customers. Prior to joining the City Fisheries Seed Ground Permit Appeals Board, Additionally, she has worked on determining the with leading Icelandic politicians, scientists and of Houston, Lara was a member of Hill+Knowlton President of Louisiana Oystermen Association, feasibility and design of integrated pumped hydro artists as well as the opinions of regular citizens Strategies’ Houston office, providing strategic President of South Plaquemines United Fisheries reverse osmosis systems. Her research interests and the farmers who have been Ok mountain’s counsel in sustainability and social responsi- Cooperative and most proudly a lifetime member center around developing data-driven design neighbors for generations. Dominic Boyer is bility issues for a broad range of clients across of the Wolfhound Pack 27th Infantry Regiment methods to enhance sustainable use of the oceans Professor of Anthropology at Rice University and the energy sector. Lara worked in Washington, Historical Society, Inc. to solve problems in the water-energy-food nexus. Founding Director of the Center for Energy and DC, and served as Communications Director for the Chairman of the House Natural Resources Jayden Foytlin Environmental Research in the Human Sciences. Maria Cristina Jadick Cymene Howe is Associate Professor and Director Committee, Vice Chairman of the House Jayden Foytlin is a 15-year-old of Graduate Studies in the Department of Transportation Committee, and Vice Chairman of Exploring cultural identity, the from Rayne, Louisiana, an Anthropology and founding faculty of the Center the Sustainable Energy and Environment Caucus. human spirit and socio-political indigenous climate activist, and for Energy and Environmental Research at Rice themes, multi-disciplinary artist a plaintiff in the case,Juliana v. University. Together they co-host the weekly Jay Blazek Crossley Maria Cristina “Cristy” Jadick United States. Jayden is one of 21 Cultures of Energy podcast. incorporates photography, video, Jay Blazek Crossley is Executive young people currently suing the president and printmaking and performance which results Director of Farm&City, a 501(c)(3) the federal government of the United States in in compelling, conceptually based projects. Astrid Caldas nonprofit dedicated to high quality defense of the environment, with support from Her projects range from large, mixed-media, urban and rural human habitat in the nonprofit organization Our Children’s Trust. Astrid Caldas is a senior climate photo-lithographic prints on paper and canvas Texas in perpetuity. Crossley has Their constitutional climate lawsuit aims to hold scientist at the Union of Concerned to sizable, performative, interactive tableau a Masters in Public Affairs from the LBJ School the government accountable for furthering the Scientists, working on climate that integrate photographs and sewn, painted, at UT-Austin and fifteen years of experience effects of climate change, calling for a federal change adaptation and science baked and printed elements. Jadick earned her changing policies to provide affordable access Climate Recovery Plan. Jayden has been a part of communication, including equitable BA from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA, to safe, walkable urbanism connected by high the complaint since it was filed in 2015, when she and just adaptation and resilience measures. and pursued studies at the Transart Foundation, quality transit. Among other public roles, he was 12. At the end of October 2018, Juliana v. U.S. Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with an The Glassell School-MFAH, Sam Houston State serves as Chair of Austin’s Pedestrian Advisory was put on hold by Chief Justice John Roberts academic career in ecology, she moved to the University, and Hopkins University-Paul Nitze Council and on the Texas Strategic Highway after the federal government made an additional Washington, DC, area in 1996, and developed School of Advanced International Studies in Safety Plan Stakeholder Group. Crossley contrib- request, and as a result, is expected to continue a deep interest in policy. Realizing that strong, Washington, DC. science-informed policies were needed for better, uted significantly to Houston Complete Streets into 2019. policy, Houston Metro’s New Bus Network, Austin equitable climate adaptation and resilience, Amy Myers Jaffe she staged a career change that allows her to CapMetro’s CapRemap, and PlanHouston. Tiokasin Ghosthorse bring science to a variety of audiences. Astrid Amy Myers Jaffe is the David Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Mnicoujou/ holds degrees in Entomology, Ecology and Juan Elizondo M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Itazipco Lakota) is a member of Environmental Management. She tweets under Energy and the Environment and Juan Elizondo is a native of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation the handle @climategeek. Director of the program on Energy Houston, Texas. He serves as the of South Dakota. Tiokasin is an Security and Climate Change at the Partnership Coordinator at Furr educator, musician and interna- Council on Foreign Relations. A leading expert on Alejandro Chaoul High School, enriching students’ tional speaker on peace and the global issues global energy policy, geopolitical risk and energy education with relevant place- facing Native peoples. Tiokasin is the Founder, Dr. Alejandro Chaoul, the founding and sustainability, Jaffe previously served as based programming. As partnership coordinator, Host and Executive Producer of the international- director of The Jung Center’s Mind Executive Director for Energy and Sustainability Elizondo seeks opportunities for students to gain ly-syndicated “First Voices Radio,” now in its 27th Body Spirit Institute (MBSI), holds a at the University of California, Davis, and Senior hands-on experiences with local, state and federal year of broadcasting. In 2016, Tiokasin received a doctoral degree in religious studies Advisor for Energy and Sustainability at Office of partners empowering students to tackle environ- Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize from the from Rice University. He is a faculty the Chief Investment Officer of the University of mental injustices through impactful project-based International Institute of Peace Studies and Global member in the Integrative Medicine Program at California, Regents. She was also formerly a global solutions. Together with students and volunteers, Philosophy. He is a 2016 Native Arts and Cultures MD Anderson Cancer Center, where, since 1999, fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center they have established a fruit orchard with over Foundation National Artist Fellow in Music, and he has used mind, body, and spirit techniques for Scholars. Prior to joining the University of 100 trees on campus, have built and maintained a in 2018 was an inaugural nominee to the National to facilitate healing in cancer patients and their California, Davis, Jaffe served as founding director public park community garden, and have worked Native American Hall of Fame. Tiokasin is a families to reduce stress and promote work-life of the Energy Forum at Rice University’s James A. city-wide in underserved communities throughout Sundancer in the tradition of the Lakota Nation. balance among support staff. Dr. Chaoul is a med- Baker III Institute for Public Policy and its Wallace Houston planting fruit trees and native gardens itation and Tibetan yoga teacher of Ligmincha S. Wilson fellow for energy studies. International and a Senior Teacher of The 3 Doors on other campuses and public spaces. for transforming lives through meditation. He is also a Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute and an advisor for the Rothko Chapel. Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner Elizabeth Love Jim Morris Vijaya Nagarajan Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner is a Marshall As senior program officer at the Jim Morris is acting CEO of the Vijaya Nagarajan is the Chair Islander poet and spoken word Houston Endowment, Elizabeth Center for Public Integrity in and Associate Professor of the artist who focuses on raising oversees grantmaking for the foun- Washington, D.C. A journalist Department of Theology/Religious awareness on issues faced by island dation’s health and environmental since 1978, he has won more than Studies and in the Program of communities, including nuclear portfolios as well as a portion of 80 awards, including the George Environmental Studies at the testing, militarism, the impact of climate change, the arts and culture portfolio. Prior to joining the Polk award, the Sidney Hillman award, three University of San Francisco. She writes about forced migration and racism. Her installation at foundation in 2009, Elizabeth served as Director National Association of Science Writers awards, Hinduism, gender, ritual, ecology and the com- the Honolulu Biennial marks an expansion in prac- of Harris County Public Health’s Office of Policy two Edward R. Murrow awards, the White House mons. Recently her work has centered around tice for Jetñil-Kijiner, who is principally a poet. and Planning, where she led strategic planning Correspondents Association award and five Texas spiritual autobiographies of place, especially She received her Master’s in Pacific Island Studies activities concerning health promotion, infectious Headliners awards. He directed a global investi- around immigration, motherhood and energy. from the University of Hawaii at Mānoa and has disease, air and water quality, neighborhood con- gation of the asbestos industry that won the John She has been active in the American Academy of performed her poetry at the United Nations ditions, climate change and emergency response. B. Oakes award for environmental reporting from Religion and in the environmental movements in Climate Summit, New York; Southbank Center, In addition, Elizabeth oversaw the department’s Columbia University in 2011 and an IRE Medal the United States, and is the author of Feeding A London; Conference of the Parties (COP) 21 and legislative activities, community-based assessment from Investigative Reporters and Editors. Morris Thousand Souls: Women, Ritual and Ecology in 22, in Paris and Morocco, Voices of Our Nations processes and outcomes evaluation framework. In worked for newspapers in Texas and California India, An Exploration of the Kolam (2018). Arts Foundation and Poetry for the People at UC the late 1990’s, Elizabeth served as a fellow for the before moving to Washington in 1999. Berkeley in California. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Earthea Nance Eve Mosher Earthea A. Nance is an Associate Steve Kolmes Christie Manning Eve Mosher is an artist and Professor in the Barbara Jordan- Steven A. Kolmes is Chair of the Christie Manning, PhD, has a interventionist living and working Mickey Leland School of Public Environmental Studies Department, Bachelor’s degree in Human in New York City. Her works use Affairs at Texas Southern University and occupant of the Rev. John Factors Engineering from Tufts investigations of the landscape as (TSU), and she holds joint faculty Molter, C.S.C., Chair in Science at University and a PhD in Cognitive starting points for audience explo- appointments in the Department of Urban the University of Portland. His inter- and Biological Psychology from ration of urban issues. Recent work examines the Planning and Environmental Policy and the ests are in the areas of salmon recovery planning, the University of Minnesota. She teaches in complex urban waterways and the changes and Department of Political Science. Prior to arriving at combining ethical and scientific analyses in envi- the department of Environmental Studies at impacts of climate change. She is a co-founder TSU, she was assistant professor of environmental ronmental policy discussions, and water and air Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her and co-director of Works on Water, a cultural planning and hazard mitigation at the University quality issues. He has served on government sci- research and teaching explores cognitive, social institution dedicated to supporting artists work- of New Orleans, and a faculty associate in the entific advisory panels (NOAA-Fisheries Technical and situational factors that influence people’s ing on, in and with the water, through a triennial Center for Hazards Assessment, Response, and Recovery Team for the Willamette and Lower behavioral and lifestyle choices, and the impact and artist residency. In addition, she is co-founder Technology. During New Orleans’ recovery from Columbia Rivers; Oregon Dept of Environmental of these choices on ecological and social sys- and board vice-chair for play:groundNYC, an Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Nance served as a public Quality Toxics Technical Advisory Committee) and tems. One research focus includes how people organization dedicated to children’s rights in the official providing expertise in disaster mitigation on the Steering Committee for the Columbia River perceive climate change, with particular interest urban environment through free and self-directed and environmental management. As a researcher, Pastoral Letter. Dr. Kolmes teaches courses in in the psychological circumstances that motivate play and access. Dr. Nance focuses on the intersection of environ- environmental science, and team-teaches a course community-level climate change preparedness. mental hazards, community participation, and on theology in ecological perspective. Manning has also researched and written about Nick Mullins urban infrastructure in complex settings such as the growing evidence of the mental health costs of vulnerable communities, developing countries, Nick Mullins was the 5th gener- David Leslie the climate crisis. and high-hazard areas. ation of his family to work in the David Leslie is the Executive underground coal mines of central Luke Metzger Nadia Nazar Director of the Rothko Chapel Appalachia before turning toward whose vocation centers on cre- As the director of Environment a career in economic and environ- Nadia Nazar is a 16-year-old artist ating cross-sector relationships Texas, Luke Metzger is a leading mental justice. As author of the blog “Thoughts of and environmentalist. She has been to further human rights, criminal voice in the state for clean air, a Coal Miner,” Nick addresses many of the issues an activist since she was 12 years justice reform, peacemaking and environmen- water, energy and open space. that impact coal miners, serving both to fight old, when she became a vegetarian tal justice. He served on the Oregon Governor’s Luke has led successful campaigns back against pro-coal messaging from industry from her passion for animals and Global Warming Advisory Group, chaired the to win permanent protection for the Christmas associations and lobbying groups, as well as cri- the environment. Nadia co-founded the youth-led National Council of Churches Immigration Reform Mountains of Big Bend; to compel Exxon, Shell tique ineffective, and sometimes damaging, forms climate justice organization, Zero Hour, where Task Force and currently serves on the National and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at three of activism. In 2016, Nick founded Breaking Clean, she is the Co-Executive Director and Art Director. Religious Campaign Against Torture Board of Texas refineries and chemical plants; and to boost a media organization focused on justice advo- Zero Hour is a youth-led movement creating entry Directors, Northwest Workers’ Justice Project funding for water conservation and state parks. cacy communications strategies that are more points, training, and resources for new young activ- Advisory Board and Houston Coalition Against He has been named one of the “Top Lobbyists inclusive of rural, conservative, and working class ists and organizers wanting to take concrete action Hate Steering Committee. He is the recipient of for Causes” by Capitol Inside, received the families. Through his work, Nick seeks to establish around climate change. She uses art as a tool the National Council of Churches’ Eugene Carson President’s Award from the Texas Recreation and common ground across divisive sociopolitical for awareness, and has taken her environmental Blake Award for Ecumenism for his peacemaking Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks, viewpoints, and move communities towards a efforts to school and her local Indian community. and interfaith leadership. He served as the execu- and was chosen for the inaugural class of “Next more sustainable future for generations to come. She is the Environmental Affairs Coordinator for tive director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Generation Fellows” by the Robert S. Strauss the Baltimore County Student Councils and a Girl Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and Austin Center for International Security and Scout Ambassador. Habitat for Humanity, and held program positions Law at UT Austin. with Ohio Council of Churches and World Council of Churches. Jackson Neal Estrella Sainburg Umair A. Shah Michael Skelly Jackson Neal is a freshman at the Estrella Sainburg is a Los Angeles Since 2013, Dr. Umair A. Shah has Michael Skelly is a renewable energy University of Houston, a three-time native and UC Berkeley graduate. served as Executive Director and entrepreneur and a Senior Advisor member of Houston’s premier Through her studies of devel- Local Health Authority for Harris at the investment bank Lazard, youth poetry slam team, Meta- opment and global poverty, and County Public Health (HCPH), in where he advises companies on Four Houston, and Houston Youth involvement in research groups the nation’s 3rd largest county with renewable energy and sustainability. Poet Laureate. He is the 2017 and 2018 Space and student organizations, she grew interested in 4.7 million people. Dr. Shah began a distinguished Skelly is the Founder and Chairman of Clean Line City Grand Slam Champion, a 2018 National the global crisis for safe, drinking water sources. career as an emergency department physician at Energy, developing infrastructure projects to con- YoungArts Foundation Winner in Writing, a U.S. After graduation, Estrella became the New Jersey Houston’s DeBakey VA Medical Center. He started nect America’s best renewable energy resources to Presidential Scholar in the Arts nominee, and the Organizer and Organizing Director at GreenFaith, his public health journey as Chief Medical Officer market. Prior to Clean Line, Skelly led the growth 2019 Southwest Regional Youth Poet Laureate. an interfaith organization that works with people at Galveston County’s Health District before of Horizon Wind Energy, now one of the largest His writing and videos have been featured in the of all faiths and spiritualities to help heal and joining HCPH to oversee its clinical health system renewable energy companies in the world. Skelly Claremont Review, Houston Chronicle, Houston restore the Earth. Driven by her faith as a Christian, and infectious disease portfolio. Dr. Shah holds applies his expertise in developing infrastructure Public Media, and elsewhere. she is energized by nature and motivated to secure leadership positions with the National Academies projects to enhance transportation options and a cleaner and healthier environment for marginal- of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; U.S. increase access to parks in his adopted hometown Bakeyah Nelson ized communities. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; Trust for of Houston, Texas. In 2012, he led the “Parks By America’s Health; Network for Public Health Law; You” campaign, which resulted in the passage of a Bakeyah Nelson, PhD, works to Sister Damien and Texas Medical Association. $150 million bond measure to fund 100 plus miles improve public health and reduce of trails along the city’s bayous, an effort in which health inequities based on where Marie Savino Fawn Sharp Skelly remains deeply involved. people live, work, learn, and play. Sister Damien Marie Savino, FSE, is Prior to working as Executive Fawn R. Sharp is the President of a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist Rabbi Daniel Swartz Director at Air Alliance Houston, she led a con- with a Doctorate in Environmental the Quinault Indian Nation (2006– sulting firm focused on strategic planning and Engineering and Master’s degrees present), and attorney with an Rabbi Daniel Swartz is the Executive community health assessment for public health in Theology and Soil Science. Currently, she is the academic background in criminal Director of the Coalition on the and other non-profit entities. Dr. Nelson’s focus Dean of Science and Sustainability at Aquinas justice. She holds an advanced Environment and Jewish Life continues to examine the policies and practices College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prior to that, certificate in International Human Rights Law from (COEJL). COEJL engages the that produce health inequities, including the she was chair of the environmental science and Oxford University. President Sharp formerly served Jewish community in environmental over-concentration of environmental hazards in studies department at University of St. Thomas, as Managing Attorney/Lead Counsel/Associate advocacy and programs. He has combined his communities of color and low-income communi- with a joint appointment in theology. Sister Judge for the Quinault Indian Nation government. religious training with his love for the environment ties. She previously served in the Office of Policy Damien Marie has also worked as an environmen- While President of the Quinault Indian Nation, in positions with the National Religious Partnership and Planning for Harris County Public Health tal consultant overseeing soil and ground water Sharp was elected as President of the Affiliated for the Environment, Pennsylvania and Greater where she was responsible for leading community remediation of contaminated sites. Her areas of Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI 2001–17); Vice Washington Interfaith Power and Light, and the health initiatives. expertise include ecology and theology, science President for the National Congress of American Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. He and theology, and ecological restoration. Indians (NCAI), an organization established in is the author of numerous environmental op-eds Bryan Parras 1944 representing 566 Tribal Nations (2016–17); in media ranging from CNN to the Washington Somini Sengupta and We Are Still In Leader Circle (WASI) member Post and To Till and To Tend: A Guide for Jewish Bryan Parras is one of the Gulf (2018–present). She completed two years of Environmental Study and Action (1995). Coast’s most dynamic environ- Somini Sengupta, The New York service as Chairman of the US Department of the mental justice organizers fighting Times’ international climate reporter, Interior Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust Mayor Sylvester Turner along the entire central and eastern tells the stories of communities Administration and Reform that issued its final Elected in December 2015, Sylvester United States. Bryan grew up in a and landscapes most vulnerable report in December 2013. community on the east side of Houston, Texas, to the effects of climate change. Turner is serving his first four-year term as Houston’s 62nd mayor. near one of largest concentrations of petrochem- A George Polk Award-winning foreign corre- Rajwant Singh ical plants, refineries and storage tanks in the spondent, she has reported from a Congo River Since taking office, Mayor Turner world. He is deeply involved in the documentation ferry, a Himalayan glacier, the streets of Baghdad Dr. Rajwant Singh is the Founder eliminated a $160 million budget of environmental racism experienced by margin- and Mumbai and many places in between. and President of EcoSikh, a global shortfall in record time; led the city’s remarkable alized communities from Houston and throughout As The Times’ United Nations correspondent, Sikh environmental network. rebound from Hurricane Harvey; championed the greater Gulf Coast region. He continues to she reported on global challenges from war EcoSikh has issued a major Sikh historic pension reform; cheered on the 2017 World help lead the rising environmental justice move- to women’s rights. Her first book,The End of statement on climate change Series-winning Houston Astros; hosted a successful ment and is currently helping people in Houston Karma: Hope and Fury Among India’s Young was as well as guidelines on faith guided impact Super Bowl LI; and expanded municipal invest- and the Gulf Coast fight for a just recovery published in 2016 by W.W. Norton. She grew up in investing. Dr. Singh has worked with Presidents ments in renewable energy. Mayor Turner’s civic after Hurricane Harvey. Bryan is Co-Founder of India, Canada and the United States, graduating Clinton, Bush, and Obama, and their respec- leadership has been nationally recognized through Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services from the University of California at Berkeley. tive administrations on various faith-based, his service as a member of the U.S. Conference (t.e.j.a.s.) and Dirty Fuels Gulf Coast Organizer at social justice, and environmental issues. Dr. of Mayors Transportation and Communications Sierra Club. Singh is founding member of Sikh Human and Standing Committee, vice chair of the National Development Foundation, and Secretary of the Climate Action Agenda, member of the C40 and Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, a Sikh spiritual Global Covenant for Mayor’s for Climate and center in Maryland. He is also a senior advisor and Energy and an advisory board member of the co-founder of National Sikh Campaign, a national African American Mayors Association. media campaign to educate Americans about Sikhs and Sikh identity in North America. LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED Resources from Symposium Presenters

2C Energy, LLC Furr High School Institute Sierra Club PROMOTIONAL PARTNERS 2cnrg.com for Sustainable Communities sierraclub.org ifsc.tamu.edu/Engagement/Partnerships/ Air Alliance Houston Furr-High-School Somini Sengupta Asia Society Texas Center airalliancehouston.org sominisengupta.com asiasociety.org/texas GreenFaith Amy Myers Jaffe greenfaith.org Texas Environmental Justice BikeHouston amymyersjaffe.com Advocacy Services (t.e.j.a.s.) bikehouston.org HighWaterLine tejasbarrios.org Aquinas College Office of highwaterline.org Buffalo Bayou Partnership Science and Sustainability Texas Southern University buffalobayou.org aquinas.edu/academics/ Harris County Public Health Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland office-dean-science-sustainability publichealth.harriscountytx.gov School of Public Affairs Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (Houston) bjmlspa.tsu.edu cechouston.org Baker Institute at Rice University Houston Endowment bakerinstitute.org houstonendowment.org Thoughts of a Coal Miner Houston BCycle thethoughtfulcoalminer.com houston.bcycle.com Breaking Clean Macalester College Environmental Studies breakclean.com macalester.edu/environmentalstudies The Transart Foundation Houston Climate Movement for Art and Anthropology facebook.com/houstonclimatemovement Center for Public Integrity Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) thetransartfoundation.org publicintegrity.org Department of Mechanical Engineering Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston meche.mit.edu Union of Concerned Scientists facebook.com/faithandenvironmenthouston City of Houston, Office of Sustainability ucsusa.org greenhoustontx.gov The Mind, Body, Spirit Institute The Jung Center of Houston, Texas at the Jung Center of Houston University of Portland junghouston.org Coalition on the Environment junghouston.org/about-the-center/ Environmental Studies Program and Jewish Life (COEJL) mind-body-spirit-institute college.up.edu/envscience Lone Star Legal Aid coejl.org lonestarlegal.blog/offices/houston-office Our Children’s Trust University of San Francisco Council on Foreign Relations ourchildrenstrust.org Program of Environmental Studies Plant It Forward Farms cfr.org usfca.edu/arts-sciences/undergraduate- plant-it-forward.org Quinault Indian Nation programs/environmental-studies EcoSikh quinaultindiannation.com Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word ecosikh.org University of St. Thomas sistersofcharity.org Rice University Anthropology Department Biology Department Environment Texas anthropology.rice.edu stthom.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-and- environmenttexas.org Sciences/Undergraduate/Majors/Biology Rice University Center for Energy Eve Mosher & Environmental Research in the Writers in the Schools (WITS) evemosher.com Human Sciences witshouston.org culturesofenergy.com Farm&City Zero Hour farmandcity.org Severe Storm Prediction, Education, and thisiszerohour.org Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center First Voices Indigenous Radio at Rice University firstvoicesindigenousradio.org sspeed.rice.edu THANK YOU to all the individuals and organizations who made this symposium About the Rothko Chapel About University of St. Thomas possible, including: The Rothko Chapel was founded by French- The University of St. Thomas (UST) born, Houston philanthropists Dominique and is Houston’s Catholic University. For Symposium Planning Committee: Shivas Amin, Jim Blackburn, Mark Boling, John de Menil, opened in 1971 as an independent more than 70 years, UST has graduated Jay Crossley, Gayle DeGeurin, Steve Kolmes, David Leslie, Juan Parras, Joyce institution. It is open every day of the year, 10am students into successful careers in med- Salhoot, and Fr. Chris Valka to 6pm, for people of all religions or none. The icine, education, business, public admin- Chapel is the work of Mark Rothko and includes istra-tion and more. The UST Biology Rothko Chapel Program Staff: Ashley Clemmer, Director of Programs and 14 of his monumental paintings. Department encourages students to think, Community Engagement and Kelly Johnson, Volunteer and Program Coordinator experiment and discover science in a way The mission of the Rothko Chapel is to inspire that prepares them for the real world. people to action through art and contempla- A special thanks to the generous support from Symposium underwriters: UST students exhibit exceptional critical tion, to nurture reverence for the for the highest The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, Elizabeth Hamman Oliver, Jacob and thinking skills, a strong ethical code and aspirations of humanity, and to provide a forum Terese Hershey Foundation, and Gayle and Mike DeGeurin a passion for exploration. Biology faculty for global concerns. The Chapel supports human closely mentor every student to give them rights and serves as a rallying place for all who UST and Rothko Chapel Staff and Volunteers the best foundation possible for the rest of are concerned with peace, justice and freedom their lives. Surpik Angelini and the Transart Foundation for Art and Anthropology throughout the world.

Kathy Conopio and Minor Design The Rothko Chapel is funded in part by the The Brown Foundation, Inc., the Dudley T. Dougherty Promotional Partners: Asia Society Texas Center; BikeHouston; Buffalo Bayou Foundation, The George and Mary Josephine Partnership; Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (Houston); Houston BCycle; Hamman Foundation, Jacob and Terese Hershey Houston Climate Movement; Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston; Foundation, Houston Endowment Inc., the John P. McGovern Foundation, Texas Commission on The Jung Center of Houston, Texas; Lone Star Legal Aid; The Mind, Body, the Arts, and a grant from the City of Houston Spirit Institute at the Jung Center; Plant It Forward Farms; Public Citizen; through the Houston Arts Alliance. and Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word.

The Rothko Chapel is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is solely responsible for its own funding. Your tax-deductible donation enables the institution to welcome all people every day of the year to experience the transformative power of art, to engage in coura- geous conversations, and to connect with their innermost thoughts.

Chapel Closure & Opening Spaces Master Plan

The Rothko Chapel and grounds will close to the public beginning Monday, March 4, and will reopen in winter 2019. This temporary closure is the first part of the implementation of the Rothko Chapel Opening Spaces master plan, focused on preserving the Chapel as a unique public art site and spiritual space, serving the growing number of visitors and program participants, and setting the stage for programmatic expansion.