Climate Action Party

About this event

In 2022 the legislature and the Biden Administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act – which creates the largest funding for solutions to the climate crisis in history. However, even though Floridians helped fund the IRA, Governor DeSantis has vetoed over $350 Million which would have funded solutions and resilience. This refusal to take federal dollars negatively impacts all people in Florida, but particularly low-wealth, underserved communities in the state. Join an extraordinary panel and then TAKE ACTION on the free Climate Action Now App to address the Governor’s egregious blockading of federal dollars.

Join together with other friends on September 13th at 7 pm (ET). We’ll hear from Florida Representative Anna Eskamani, Rabbi Barry Silver, and City of Lauderhill Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn, and guest moderator Mustafa Santiago Ali AND then we’ll all take substantive actions using the free Climate Action Now App to ensure the Governor does the right thing.

Together we can make a difference. Tell your friends!

Featured Guests

Rep. Anna Eskamani is a bold fighter for Florida families and everyday people. Born and raised in Orlando, she’s the daughter of working-class Iranian immigrants who came to this country in search of the American Dream. Anna went to public schools, the University of Central Florida, and is a nonprofit professional currently seeking her PhD in Public Administration. She ran for office as a first-time candidate in 2018, flipped a legislative seat, and is proud to serve as a State House Representative for District 42 winning both of her re-election campaigns in a landslide. She currently serves as the Chair of both the Orange County Legislative Delegation and the Florida Legislative Energy and Climate Caucus.

Rabbi Barry Silver is also a public-interest attorney, Legislator, singer/songwriter and activist. He is the only Rabbi to have served in the Florida Legislature, where he was named “The most effective environmental legislator” by the Sierra Club and “Consumer Champion”. As a public interest attorney, in the 1990s Barry used Civil RICO to bankrupt the Falwell and Robertson backed Operation Rescue and put an end to their national blockades of abortion clinics forever.   A self-described “Rabbi Rouser”, in 2022, Barry was the first to use religious freedom to challenge the post Dobbs wave of anti-abortion laws that swept across America, in an unprecedented lawsuit against Governor DeSantis, for which he was named Feminist of the Year by the local NOW chapter. He has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, FOX, Telemundo, the New York Times, Al Jazeera and most major national and international media. He’s been listed for decades in Who’s Who of American law for “outstanding contributions to the betterment of society”. 

Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn, MBA was elected to the City of Lauderhill Commission in November 2020. Her professional and philanthropic experiences prior to becoming an elected official are extensive. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MD Marketing Network. In addition, the Commissioner served as the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce as President for two years. With a passion for mentorship, she founded the Hibiscus Girl’s Leadership Academy which empowers young women in Lauderhill to reach their highest God-given potential.  As a seasoned a small business owner and community activist, Commissioner Dunn devotes her career to helping small businesses achieve economic literacy, stability, and prosperity.  She assists residents with health and wellness education to elevate their quality of life. 

Our Moderators

Dr Mustafa Santiago Ali (Special Guest Moderator) is a renowned thought leader, international speaker, policy maker, community liaison, trainer, and facilitator. He serves as the Executive Vice President for the National Wildlife Federation. He is also the founder of Revitalization Strategies, a business focused on moving our most vulnerable communities from “surviving to thriving.” Before joining the National Wildlife Federation, Mustafa was the senior vice president for the Hip Hop Caucus, a national non-profit and non-partisan organization that connects the hip-hop community to the civic process to build power and create positive change. In his role, he led the strategic direction, expansion, and operation of the Hip Hop Caucus’ portfolio on climate, environmental justice, and community revitalization.

Tim Guinee, President of Climate Action Now, has been a veteran in numerous climate campaigns around the country. He serves as the Legislative Action Coordinator for the New York Climate Reality Chapters Coalition. Former Vice President Al Gore awarded Tim the Alfredo Sirkis Memorial Green Ring Award for his work on the climate crisis. 

Our Sponsors

Rethink Energy Florida – ReThink Energy Florida’s mission is to educate, engage, and empower Floridians to take action and achieve a just transition to clean energy for a healthier, more sustainable environment through youth education, adult engagement, and community organizing.

Elders Climate Action, Florida Chapter – The ECA Florida Chapter provides an opportunity for wise, engaged Florida Elders to have a forum for Climate Conversation in a context of active hope yet profound concern so that we can discuss issues, ideas and action plans that can lead to a more sustainable future.

Citizens Climate Lobby, Florida – empowers everyday people to work within their communities and with their members of Congress on climate change solutions.

The Climate Reality Project, Florida State Coalition – Climate Reality’s global network of 3.5 million is working to build a just and sustainable true net-zero future.

Sierra Club, Florida Chapter – A chapter of the national Sierra Club, Sierra Club Florida is made up of volunteer leaders and civic activists representing over 32,000 members. Our mission is to enjoy, explore, and protect the natural and threatened places in Florida, to teach others to understand and respect the fragile environment in which we live, and to support equal environmental justice for all.  

Food and Water Watch – with more the 2 million supporters, Food & Water Watch fights for safe food, clean water, and a livable climate for all of us.

Congregation L’Dor Va-Dor – where Judaism is treasured, reason is cherished, interfaith harmony abounds, science is honored, and all are welcome.

Third Act Florida – Third Act Florida is a diverse community of Florida Seniors, ready and willing to work together to protect both our fragile climate and our precious American democracy. As a group we have skills, resources and a lifetime of experiences that make us a powerful force for the future.

About Climate Action Now’s Action Parties

An Action Party is an online event that packs valuable information and concrete action into a 60-minute venue.

Each Action Party has an environment-related topic and a featured guest who is an expert in that topic. We combine presentations with featured guests, audience Q&A sessions,  and optional action-taking with the Climate Action Now app. The actions have been prepared in advance to help participants take the most impactful action in the shortest period of time. The party’s moderator sets a goal for the number of actions to be taken and participants can see their progress towards that goal in real-time with an online, automated goal tracker. 

Action parties are free and open to all who seek a more just and sustainable world, but we welcome donations to help us continue our mission of creating a just and livable planet for all.

How to Get the Climate Action Now App

If you want to participate in the action-taking segment, you can get the FREE Climate Action Now app by scanning the QR code below with your phone’s camera OR by searching for “Climate Action Now” in your app store and downloading it to your phone. The app is currently available to users in the United States only.