Passionate activist Valerie Vande Panne shares her journey covering the war on drugs to becoming an environmental reporter at WGCU Public Media in Southwest Florida. She has also contributed to Bloomberg, Reuters, and Politico.

With a focus on covering marginalized communities, Valerie discusses how environmental racism has a direct impact on these areas. She notes that not only is our planet sick, but we are sick as well. Lasting change involves a level of action on a global scale. Every person, every family, and every community needs to do their part. Valerie implores us to do our research, and make our own determinations for how we can be a part of the solution. As communities, we must come together because when we collectively support something, we have more power.

In closing, Valerie shares the importance of laughter. It's important to be aware of what is going on around us, it is imperative that we don't get caught in a negative feedback loop. Find the space to laugh!

• Craig Pittman - Environment, Growth, and Development Reporter
• The Story of Plastic
• Valerie Vande Panne