APRIL 26 / 9-4 PM
Second Annual
STATE OF THE
ENVIRONMENT
CONFERENCE
The second annual State of the Environment Conference seeks to address changes to environmental policy and associated impacts under the current administration. This conference aims to raise awareness and provide actionable solutions through a day-long program including an esteemed keynote speaker, targeted panel discussion, networking and more. The Conference will close with a screening of the film A Need to Grow, followed by Q & A with the film's producers. During our lunch break there will be a special performance by indigenous Tongva singer songwriter Kelly Caballero and vegan tacos catered by Taco Sin Karma (while supplies last).
At the heart of this dynamic event will be a moderated panel that will bring a diverse group of environmental leaders, plant-based champions, policymakers, scientists, students and community members to the CSULB campus to engage in proactive discussions focused on the theme: Food Systems, Natural Resource Economics, Activism and Policy.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS /
RISHI KUMAR
JOE CORSO
FILM SCREENING /
THE NEED TO GROW
The U.N. report “Wake Up Before It’s Too Late” recently stated that localizing and diversifying the food supply and increasing small organic farms was the key to fixing our food system; rather than relying on chemical-dependent, soil eroding, nutrient lacking, GMO monocultures. It seemed so obvious. Meanwhile, TIME magazine estimated that at our current rate of soil degradation, we only have roughly 60 years of farmable topsoil left on the planet.
We knew the public didn’t need another doomsday film insinuating it was too late to save our species. It’s not. So we set out looking for the untold stories of revolutionary people who are already creating the new food system, in harmony with nature.
The film follows a mother and daughter activist, a renegade urban farmer, and an accomplished visionary inventor revolutionizing soil restoration.
Shot over three and a half years, The Need To GROW is ultimately a story of underdog resilience. Each character overcomes a major setback, bringing viewers on a ride to not only learn about the astonishing issue of soil health - and the urgent problems of our food system overall - but to connect with characters who offer an inspiring example of what can be accomplished with perseverance and heart.
- Rob & Ryan
Directors/Producers of THE NEED TO GROW
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE /
KELLY CABALLERO
We are excited to bring indigenous singer songwriter Kelly Caballero to CSULB.
Kelly Caballero was born and raised in sunny Southern California. She is a member of the Tongva-Gabrielino tribe of the Los Angeles Basin and sings songs and shares stories of life, love and indigenous resistance. She plays shows in the surrounding Orange County and San Diego areas. Often accompanied by Tilley Stranger on the Djembe, and Reyes Rodas on U-bass. This trio puts on a lively heartfelt show for all people to enjoy.
