The Global Climate Action Summit was a profound experience. New commitments were made there to support the Paris Agreement, and to address younger generations’ concerns about social justice. The summit was an international event in the San Francisco Bay Area, held from September 12 to 14, that accelerated climate action and highlighted California’s leadership in this area. More than 4,000 national delegates, state and local government leaders, and members of our civil society participated, many lauding Governor Brown's climate actions, specifically his signature on Senate Bill 100, which commits this state to 100 percent clean energy by 2045.
Jobs in environmental work and educating young people about environmental issues and sustainability were central at the Climate Action Career Fair, an event at the summit. Organizers noted that a low-carbon economy demands a workforce educated about sustainability for careers in the fields of energy, conservation, and technology. Exhibitors and participants included the Career Fair hosts — the City College of San Francisco, LinkedIn, and Student Energy — and others such as the National Parks Service, Luminalt, Maven, Bon Appetit, the Oakland Zoo, Scoop, Rev, and Grid Alternatives. Peggy Brannigan, the global sustainability director at LinkedIn, said, “I want young people to see that not only positions like mine address these issues, but many jobs focus on sustainability.”
At the Career Fair, a Microsoft "AI for Earth" presentation, by its Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Jappa, was a big hit among students and exhibitors. Through grants, Microsoft corporation is putting AI for Earth in the hands of groups and researchers who can use this tool to model, manage, and continuously monitor earth systems. Two panels with Bay Area leaders followed which shared successful strategies for youth engagement and sustainability education. LinkedIn's Orlando White was such a dynamic presenter that he inspired me to complete the Sustainability Skills Learning Path available on the company's website.