Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival (Now Virtual) — Screens “Words Have Power”
September 23-27, 2020 

The YVFP award-winning film “Words Have Power” features  Jaysa Hunter-Mellers, a 10-year-old Connecticut girl’s dynamic speeches help shut down a coal-fired power plant. View the film now.

Exploring Climate Solutions Webinar Series Equity and Environmental Justice in Climate Solutions Hosted by CT Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) Webinar: Intergenerational Climate Justice featuring Sena Wazer, Sunrise CT; Alex Rodriguez, CT League of Conservation Voters; Jaysa Hunter-Mellers, YVFP Youth Ambassador

September 10-November 19, 2020

Many of today’s youth will live beyond the next millennium. We know that decisions made in the past jeopardize the future and that decisions being made today will have dramatic effects on the livability of the planet in the future. What do youth, especially youth of color, think about the effects of climate change on them and on future generations? How are they responding? What messages do they have for their parents’ and their grandparents’ generations? This session will be a facilitated multi-racial panel discussion among several young people who are working on climate justice today.

This event is part of the webinar series running September 10 through November 19. The purpose of this series of webinars is to help members of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3), and the public, understand how climate change affects low-income people, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, people of color, and other people who are at increased risk due to climate change. In addition, presenters will suggest what is needed to prevent illness, disability, and death from climate change-related conditions among these and other Connecticut residents.

ACCLAIMED ENVIRONMENTAL CHILDREN’S BOOK
‘THE GREAT KAPOK TREE’ TURNS 30
September 1, 2020

This year, the acclaimed picture book THE GREAT KAPOK TREE: A TALE OF THE AMAZON RAIN FOREST celebrates its 30th anniversary. Originally published in 1990, the book was a New York Times best-seller and has sold more than one million copies worldwide. This anniversary edition of the book (HMH Books for Young Readers, on sale September 1) includes a revised cover, updated author’s note, and resources to help children get involved in conserving energy and saving rain forests.

Lynne Cherry journeyed deep into the Brazilian rain forest to research and paint the illustrations for THE GREAT KAPOK TREE, a story of a man who starts to chop down a giant kapok tree and is lulled to sleep by the heat and hum of the forest. As he sleeps, the rare and wondrous rain forest creatures and a Yanomamo child whisper in his ear about how their lives depend upon the kapok tree, and how “all living things depend on one another.” In Cherry’s vibrant, Rousseauian paintings you can almost feel the jaguar’s breath on the sleeping man’s face. On the endpapers are stunning maps showing the world’s rain forests bordered by tree porcupines, emerald tree boas, iridescent birds, and insects—a wealth of fantastic creatures.

Broome-Tioga BOCES S/CDN Statewide Social Studies Fall 2020 Meeting: Navigating the Now in K-12 Social Studies in NYS
September 17, 2020

YVFP Founder & Director, Lynne Cherry gave a Keynote Address focusing on strategies for teaching and supporting students with civic identity, civic agency and action planning to impact change. YVFP award-winning films, Civic Engagement & Democracy Curriculum and A.C.T.I.O.N. was shared and can be adapted to educators’ civics curriculum.

Chagrin Documentary Film Festival — Screens YVFP Film Series
October 6-11, 2020 

The Ohio premiere of YVFP award-winning film series includes “Words Have Power”, “Plant for the Planet”, “Save Tomorrow”, “Team Marine”,  and “The Last Straw”. These films feature diverse young role models on the front lines of climate change, reducing the carbon footprint of their homes, schools and communities—while saving money and improving health. California kids ban plastic bags; Florida students save their school $53,000 in energy costs; an 11-year-old German boy plants millions of trees; and a 10-year-old Connecticut girl’s dynamic speeches help shut down a coal-fired power plant. View the films now.

Better Path Presents — Youth as Catalysts for ACTION
June 9, 2020 — Presentation by Lynne Cherry

YVFP Director and Filmmaker, Lynne Cherry shares the psychology behind teaching with youth success stories when it comes to  the climate crisis and other serious environmental and social justice issues, why our climate crisis is a democracy crisis, and how to civically engage young people, so that they have hope and tools to change minds, laws and the world—even if though they are still too young to vote!

Antioch University & Association for Environmental Studies & Sciences — Environmental Advocacy Webinar Series
June 11, 2020 — Presentation by Jaysa Hunter-Mellers 

15 year-old YVFP Ambassador, Jaysa Hunter-Mellers, catalyzed a crowd of nearly 100 people during her talk which opened with the award-winning ‘Words Have Power’ film, and followed with her experience fighting for environmental justice in her hometown of Bridgeport CT, the link between environmental racism and climate justice, and the importance of civics in schools so more young people can learn to speak truth to power like she did. Watch the recording above and download the companion climate and civic education resources.

PROTECT PT VIRTUAL LUNCH HOUR — Youth Taking Civic A.C.T.I.O.N
June 18, 2020 — Noon EST
A screening of the short film “Words Have Power” was shown here which was followed by a Q & A with YVFP Director, Lynne Cherry and Youth Ambassador, Jaysa Hunter-Mellers. Lynne and Jaysa shared how youth can take action around issues that matter to them, using YVFP’s A.C.T.I.O.N Plan.

This plan guides young people on how to find their team, passion and power and develop the skills they need to organize and engage their community and speak to their local and state officials to get the change they want to see. RSVP on eventbrite and you’ll receive the direct YouTube link to join!

BETTER PATH PRESENTS — Youth Storytelling Workshop
June 20, 2020 — 3PM EST

This special Youth Storytelling Workshop with Young Voices for the Planet Director, Lynne Cherry taught children how to craft their own stories to change minds, change laws and change the world. They discussed the elements of great storytelling (hero’s journey), civic tools, and how to engage with your community, media outlets and local policy-makers to make your voice heard!

Lynne Cherry is a New York Times best selling children’s book author and producer/filmmaker of the award-winning Young Voices for the Planet film series, featuring youth solutions to the climate crisis and other environmental and social issues.

Better Path Presents is a webinar series put on by Better Path Coalition, a statewide frontline- and grassroots-led coalition forging a path to a clean, renewable energy future for Pennsylvania and a government that puts the people’s interests before those of the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries. Organizations and individuals are invited to join. Visit bit.ly/joinbpc to become a member!

CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY FOUNDATION — Summer Institute Reimagined
July 10 & 16, 2020 — 3:30 PM EST — Keynote Address

CELF’s Summer Institute Reimagined supports K-12 educators nationwide with learning insights,  innovative tools designed to the unique demands of virtual learning, and approaches sensitively geared to students adjusting to unsettling changes to their daily routines. This summer CELF will offer best practices in digital learning while incorporating the principles and practices of Education for Sustainability. Explore their two programs: The Big Ideas of Sustainability (July 7-16th) and Civic Science: Inquiry into Action (July 21-30th).

On July 10th & 16th at 3:3o PM EST, YVFP Director Lynne Cherry & Youth Ambassador, Jaysa Hunter-Mellers gave keynote presentations on teaching with youth success stories, catalyzing youth civic A.C.T.I.O.N, and finding the courage to speak truth to power, especially when it comes to issues of environmental justice.

67th ANNUAL PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES (PCSS)
October 23, 2020
@ Venue TBA

BELMONT WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
January 19, 2020
Words Have Power Film Screening and Q&A with Jaysa Mellers, Star of the Film
@ The Regent Theater
7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA 02474

THE WINTER HOOT
January 31, 2020
Words Have Power Film screening
@ The Ashokan Center
477 Beaverkill Rd. Olivebridge, NY 12461

THE YOUTH EMPOWERMENT & SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT (YESS!)
February 6 – 8, 2020
Words Have Power Film Screening and Q&A with Jaysa Mellers, Star of the Film
@ The Ashokan Center
477 Beaverkill Rd. Olivebridge, NY 12461

CLIMATE ACTION FILM FESTIVAL – Hudson Valley Premiere
February 12, 2020
Words Have Power Film Screening
@ Upstate Films Rhinebeck
6415 Montgomery St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

COLORADO ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL
February 21, 2020
Screening of Words Have Power and other YVFP films

CEFF 4 KIDS invites teachers, club leaders, home-school parents and other educational groups to bring students in grades 5-12 to attend the festival February 20-23rd. The special youth screening is on Friday February 21, 2020 from 10 am to 12:30 pm. Free admission!

@ American Mountaineering Center (AMC)
710 10th St, Golden, CO 80401

MIDDLE STATES COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES (MSCSS);  Social Studies: A Diverse Discipline Promoting a More Perfect Union
February 28 & 29, 2020

@ Sheraton, Baltimore North
903 Dulaney Valley Road
Towson, MD 21204

CREATION JUSTICE NETWORK FILM FESTIVAL
10-Year Climate Mobilization Plan Forum
February 29, 2020 | 9 AM – 12 PM

Elon Community United Church of Christ
271 N Williamson Ave
Elon, NC 27244

The national United Church of Christ’s Council for Climate Justice has issued “A Kairos Call to Action,” calling for churches to embody and model what is so desperately needed to address climate and inequality by developing 10-year mobilization plans to meet these crises. Please join the UCC Southern Conference’s Creation Justice Network for “Biscuits and Popcorn: A Climate Mobilization Film Festival.”

POWER OF ONE WOMAN  CONFERENCE: Naturally Artful — The Intersection of Art & Nature for Planetary Healing
March 6 & 7, 2020

@ Venue TBA
Montgomery, Alabama

NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL FOR THE SOCIAL STUDIES (NYSCSS) 82ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Think Global. Act Local.
March 12 – 14, 2020
@ Albany Capital Center
55 Eagle St
Albany, NY 12207

PA ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS (PAEE) CONFERENCE & EXPO
March 17 – 20, 2020 — CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19
@ Seven Springs Mountain Resort
777 Water Wheel Dr
Champion, PA 15622

NATIONAL SCIENCE TEACHING ASSOCIATION (NSTA) CONFERENCE
20/20 Science: Expanding the Vision
April 2 – 5, 2020 — CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19
@ Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
415 Summer St.
Boston, MA