Activists and government officials attend local climate change summit

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) — Sunday marked the final day of this year’s Mississippi Statewide Environmental Justice Climate Change Summit.

The four-day conference closed at New Horizon Church, where faith and change came together.

The first three days of the Mississippi Statewide Environmental Justice Climate Change Summit were held on the campus of Tougaloo College, where both environmental activists and government officials joined together to discuss the current and ongoing environment issues the Magnolia State is facing as well as solutions to counter those problems.

Dr. Charlotte Keys is the founder of Jesus People Against Pollution, a local nonprofit centered around seeking environmental justice.

“There is a lot of pollution happening. We have 82 counties here and it is time for the city and county officials, the governor, and all to step up — not deny that we don’t have problems — but to admit that we have problems and that we need to work together to solve the problems,” Keys explained.

Keys was one of the many speakers at the event.

“I’m here to stand and say that we all are stewards of God’s creation and you own no more than what I own,” Keys continued. “And I don’t care how much money you have in your wallet; it does not determine that you have the power over me.”

According to summit speakers and organizers, the time to act on environmental justice is now.

“Environmental justice is one of those things that it’s not something that you can genuinely just see. It’s not too late to fix it,” said Janilyah Khadaran, an organizer for Mississippi Grassroots United. “I’ll say now we’re in that time-frame where we’re getting to feel the effects that cannot be undone. So anyone, anywhere, if there’s something that you think that can be done, do it. The worst they can tell you is no; the best you can do is say yes and change the world.”

Even though the Mississippi Statewide Environmental Justice Climate Change Summit wrapped up on Sunday, the activists in attendance said they will continue fighting for a cleaner environment, not only for today, but for future generations.

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