2020 PLANET FORWARD SUMMIT

OCTOBER 8-10

IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT THE 2020 SUMMIT:

In response to growing concerns and uncertainty regarding the spread of COVID-19, we have decided to postpone the 2020 Planet Forward Summit, originally scheduled to take place April 2-3, here in Washington, D.C., at George Washington University.

We have consulted with senior leaders and health officials here at GW, as well as with faculty and administrators from our Consortium schools across the country as we made this decision.

While we are saddened to move the event, we are committed to proactively safeguarding our attendees by discouraging unnecessary health risks associated with travel.

For now, please hold October 8-10 in your calendars for the rescheduled 2020 Planet Forward Summit here at GW. These dates are subject to change given this ongoing public health crisis, but we hope will be sufficient for a future conference meeting.

Our Storyfest grand prize winners will be announced on PlanetForward.org on April 3, 2020, as originally planned.

Please stay tuned for more updates to follow in the coming days about both Storyfest and details on our rescheduled Summit. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns at 202-994-4037.

— Frank Sesno and the Planet Forward Team

CLIMATE CHANGE:

THE STORY OF OUR GENERATION

Climate change is the story of our generation, and what defines that story is how we tell it – and the action we take because of it.

All around the world, new voices are emerging as powerful changemakers who are running against the clock to prevent irreversible shifts to our global climate. These are the new activists, innovators, policymakers and others who inspire audiences to take action in their local communities.

But, how do they drive their audiences to this critical point?

At the 2020 Planet Forward Summit, learn how the best environmental change agents use storytelling to transform their audiences from passive listeners to engaged doers.

The Summit takes place April 2-3, 2020 at the Jack Morton Auditorium where we gather students and academics, as well as corporate leaders, scientists, journalists and more for high-impact learning and networking.

GET INSPIRED

Learn why inspirational stories are the most motivational - and effective - to drive action.

GET EDUCATED

Learn the very best in communication techniques that you can apply immediately to your environmental stories.

GET MOBILIZED

Learn how you can create a movement for the planet on your campus and in your community.

GET CONNECTED

Connect with leading journalists, policymakers, innovators and more and apply for exclusive internship and job opportunities.

4 REASONS YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE SUMMIT

MEET THE SPEAKERS

FRANK SESNO

Founder, Planet Forward; Director

George Washington University School of Media & Public Affairs

CO-HOST

DR. IMANI CHEERS

Director of Academic Adventures

Planet Forward

CO-HOST

SUSAN JIN DAVIS

VP Environmental Affairs, Chief Sustainability Officer, Comcast

JACOB LEBEL

Activist, Juliana v. United States

Our Children's Trust

VIMLENDRA SHARAN

Director,

FAO Liaison Office for
North America

MEGHAN CHAPPLE

Director, Office of Sustainability

George Washington University

YESSENIA FUNES

Journalist, Earther

DR. JOANNA HUXSTER

Assistant Professor of
Environmental Studies,
Eckerd College

MARIANO LOZANO

CEO

Danone North America

GOV. LARRY HOGAN

(Invited)

State of Maryland

SABIRAH MAHMUD

National Logistics Coordinator

Youth Climate Strike

DR. LAURIE PATTON

President

Middlebury College

LISA

PALMER

National Geographic Visiting Professor of Science Communication

George Washington University

BILL

WEIR

Chief Climate Correspondent,

CNN

EUGENIA
HARVEY

Project Director/Executive Producer, WNET New York Public Media

AGENDA

Day One | April 2

The George Washington University

805 21st St. NW

8:00 am

Breakfast & Networking

Coffee & vegan breakfast

GW SCHOOL OF MEDIA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS,

2ND FLOOR ATRIUM

8:30 am

GW Moving the Planet Forward

• Frank Sesno, Co-Host, Planet Forward; Director, GW School of Media & Public Affairs

• Dr. Imani Cheers, Co-Host, Planet Forward; Associate Professor, GW School of Media & Public Affairs

• Meghan Chapple, Director, Office of Sustainability; Senior Advisor on University Sustainability Initiatives

JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM, MAIN FLOOR

10:30 am

NETWORKING BREAK &
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

2ND FLOOR ATRIUM

11:00 am | KEYNOTE

Diversity, Sustainability, and Leadership

• Susan Jin Davis, Chief Sustainability Officer, Comcast NBCUniversal

JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM

11:40 am | KEYNOTE DISCUSSION

9:00 am | KEYNOTE PANEL

New Voices, Powerful Stories:
Youth Leadership on Climate

• Jacob Lebel, climate activist, Youth Plaintiff, Juliana v. United States; former Planet Forward Correspondent

• Sabirah Mahmud, climate activist, National Logistics Director, U.S. Youth Climate Strike

Youth action has inspired new narrative, mediacoverage and policy on climate change. High school and college students share their stories, how they are combatting the climate crisis, and the importance of seeking climate justice.

9:30 am | PANEL

How Media Frames the
Climate Emergency

• Yessenia Funes, Senior Staff Writer, Earther

• Dr. Jo Huxster, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Eckerd College

• Eugenia Harvey, Project Director/Executive Producer, WNET New York Public Media

• Bill Weir, Chief Climate Correspondent, CNN

News media has gotten real on climate. Why? How is the story resonating with the audience? How are they framing the story? Writers and scholars share their most impactful stories and discuss the approach to communicate the broader, urgent story of our changing planet.

Dr. Laurie Patton, President, Middlebury College

College presidents across the country have pledged to address climate change through the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments. One school hastaken that commitment to the next level. Middlebury College President Laurie Patton discussesthe role college presidents have in driving leadershipon issues surrounding our climate.

12:10 pm

BREAK FOR LUNCH

12:30 pm | KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

Speaker TBA

MARVIN CENTER GRAND BALLROOM

800 21ST ST. NW

2:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Final details to come in March

SCHOOL OF MEDIA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

805 21ST ST. NW

DISTRICT HOUSE

2121 H ST. NW

10:00 am | PANEL

Students With Impact

Planet Forward Correspondents and students share how their storytelling is bringing awareness, driving change, and influencing their future careers in sustainability.

4:30 pm | KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

Speaker TBA

JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM

805 21ST ST. NW

10:20 am | STUDENT OPPORTUNITY

Travel with the U.N. to Rome, Italy

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the U.N. has teamed up with Planet Forward to tell stories about climate change, nutrition and food security. Vimlendra Sharan, FAO North American Liaison, shares an opportunity for you to influence world leaders with your stories.

TO SEE DAY 2, CLICK DOTS BELOW OR USE ARROWS MID-AGENDA.

LODGING

Looking for a place to stay? We have a few recommendations. Take a look:

2020 PLANET FORWARD SUMMIT

Climate change is the story of our generation, and what defines that story is how we tell it – and the action we take because of it.

At the 2020 Planet Forward Summit, learn how the best environmental change agents use storytelling to transform their audiences from passive listeners to engaged doers.

GET INSPIRED

GET EDUCATED

GET MOBILIZED

GET CONNECTED

4 REASONS YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE SUMMIT

MEET THE SPEAKERS

FRANK SESNO

DR. IMANI CHEERS

SUSAN JIN DAVIS

JACOB LEBEL

VIMLENDRA SHARAN

MEGHAN CHAPPLE

YESSENIA FUNES

DR. JOANNA HUXSTER

MARIANO LOZANO

GOV. LARRY HOGAN

SABIRAH MAHMUD

DR. LAURIE PATTON

LISA

PALMER

BILL

WEIR

EUGENIA HARVEY

AGENDA

Day One | April 2

The George Washington University

805 21st St. NW

Coffee & vegan breakfast

GW SCHOOL OF MEDIA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS,

2ND FLOOR ATRIUM

• Frank Sesno, Co-Host, Planet Forward; Director, GW School of Media & Public Affairs

• Dr. Imani Cheers, Co-Host, Planet Forward; Associate Professor, GW School of Media & Public Affairs

• Meghan Chapple, Director, Office of Sustainability; Senior Advisor on University Sustainability Initiatives

JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM, MAIN FLOOR

2ND FLOOR ATRIUM

• Susan Jin Davis, Chief Sustainability Officer, Comcast NBCUniversal

JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM

• Jacob Lebel, climate activist, Youth Plaintiff, Juliana v. United States; former Planet Forward Correspondent

​

• Sabirah Mahmud, climate activist, National Logistics Director, U.S. Youth Climate Strike

Youth action has inspired new narrative, mediacoverage and policy on climate change. High school and college students share their stories, how they are combatting the climate crisis, and the importance of seeking climate justice.

• Yessenia Funes, Senior Staff Writer, Earther

​

• Dr. Jo Huxster, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Eckerd College

• Eugenia Harvey, Project Director/Executive Producer, WNET New York Public Media

​

• Bill Weir, Chief Climate Correspondent, CNN

News media has gotten real on climate. Why? How is the story resonating with the audience? How are they framing the story? Writers and scholars share their most impactful stories and discuss the approach to communicate the broader, urgent story of our changing planet.

MARVIN CENTER GRAND BALLROOM

800 21ST ST. NW

Final details to come in March

SCHOOL OF MEDIA & PUBLIC AFFAIRS

805 21ST ST. NW

DISTRICT HOUSE

2121 H ST. NW

Planet Forward Correspondents and students share how their storytelling is bringing awareness, driving change, and influencing their future careers in sustainability.

JACK MORTON AUDITORIUM

805 21ST ST. NW

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the U.N. has teamed up with Planet Forward to tell stories about climate change, nutrition and food security. Vimlendra Sharan, FAO North American Liaison, shares an opportunity for you to influence world leaders with your stories.

SPONSORS

LODGING

Hotel Hive

One Washington Circle

Arc The Hotel

UPDATES

EUGENIA
HARVEY