Oxnard College will host the Environmental Justice Summit: Climate Action Now on Monday, April 29, at the Oxnard College Performing Arts Building (4000 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard). Exhibits with local environmental groups open at 5:30 p.m. Presentations, beginning at 6 p.m., will be followed by workshops at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Spanish, Mixteco, and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.

Oxnard College Associated Student Government leaders are hosting the summit in collaboration with 350 Ventura County Climate Hub. The summit agenda provides attendees with opportunities to learn about the benefits of sustainable living and individual and group actions to fight climate change throughout the community. Oxnard College student leaders and guest speakers are collaborating to foster a positive impact toward the fight against climate change.

The summit will also feature information about Environmental Science degrees offered at Oxnard College. The Associate in Science in Environmental Science for Transfer degree (AS-T) prepares students to transfer into the CSU system to complete a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Science and Resource Management, Environmental Studies, or a major deemed similar by a CSU campus. With an environmental science degree, an individual can pursue a career in a wide range of areas such as environmental, marine, nature conservation, waste, and sustainability.

Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Board Member Joshua Chancer looks forward to the summit and states, “The urgent realities of climate change are an existential threat to our youth, and even more so for our youth. The Associated Student Government of Oxnard College plays a primary role in producing this event with the goal of mitigating climate change and helping to ensure environmental justice. This summit provides an extraordinary opportunity for the college and the community to offer students our fullest measure of support.”

Environmental Physicist, Dr. Omar Clay, keynote speaker, will present, “Confronting Climate Change: Connecting the Cycles and Closing the Loops to Build a Sustainable Future.” Following Dr. Clay’s presentation, there will be short presentations from local leaders. VCCCD Trustee Chancer and City of Oxnard Mayor Pro Tem Carmen Ramirez are among local elected officials to participate in the activities. Others speakers include Tomas Morales Rebecchi, Senior Central Coast Organizer for Food and Water Watch, Adam Vega, Organizer with the Ventura County Coalition Advocating for Pesticide Safety , and Lucia Marquez, Community Organizer with Central Coast Alliance for Sustainable Economy.

Oxnard College Geography and Environmental Science Professor Jim Danza, along with Kitty Merrill of 350 Ventura County Climate Hub, will moderate the event. Attendees can choose from several different action-oriented Spanish and English language workshops and learn about opportunities to make a difference in the community.

“Oxnard College is delighted to host the Environmental Justice Summit and we are proud of our Associated Student Government for taking a strong advocacy role in protecting our natural environment,” shared President Luis Sanchez. “We believe that the great weight of scientific evidence presents a compelling argument that climate change is real, that much of it is caused by human activity, and that we are running out of time to act for the benefit of future generations. We look forward to helping identify practical solutions for course correction.”

For more information on the event, please contact Gabriela Rodriguez at 805-678-5187 or ocasg@vcccd.edu

About Oxnard College
Established in 1975, Oxnard College is a fully accredited California Community College (part of the Ventura County Community College District), providing 10,000 students a year with academically excellent undergraduate study and career technical education programs. Students may choose from over 60 educational disciplines, culminating in transfer degrees, associate degrees and certificates. Oxnard College has strong articulation agreements established with the University of California and California State University systems, as well transfer partnerships with private universities and colleges. Oxnard College is also home to some of the state’s leading athletic programs, including a championship soccer team. To learn more, please visit www.oxnardcollege.edu

About 350.org
350 Ventura County Climate Hub is part of the national organization 350.org and works to create a renewable energy future by working for renewable energy and for clean air and water in our county. Inspired by the urgent need to stem the climate crisis, 350 Ventura County fights to keep water aquifers free of oil toxins, railroad lines free from oil “bomb” trains, and to save our communities from being environmental sacrifice zones-through the toxic discharges from oil production, air quality degradation from power plants, and other emitters. The word Hub in Climate Hub describes how the group connects with other local environmental groups on current issues facing our county. Meetings take place the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura at 5654 Ralston St. in Ventura.