In this episode of the #SpeakingofResilience podcast, Kate Madigan, director of the Michigan Climate Action Network #MICAN and Clean Energy Program Director at the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, interviews Justin Onwenu.   

Justin is a passionate advocate for environmental justice and a rising star in Michigan. In our interview, Justin and Kate discuss climate change and extreme weather events and its disproportionate impacts on low income communities and communities of color - including his experience with Hurricane Harvey and the devastation that storm caused he observed while he was in college that inspired a lot of his current work. We also talk about water shut offs in Detroit and their significance during the #COVID crisis, and how his work has changed to respond to community needs.   

Justin is a 4th generation Detroiter and environmental justice organizer for the  @NationalSierraClub . As a #Detroit based organizer he fights for clean air, clean and affordable water and a just economy for all communities. He currently serves on the Inaugural Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice, appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He was also recently appointed to the Democratic National Committee’s Environment and Climate Crisis Council Platform Committee where he is one of 12 nationwide members responsible for helping develop recommendations for the climate, environment and energy planks of the 2020 Democratic Party Platform. 

Watch this episode on Youtube

Speaking of Resilience is created by the Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities and the Michigan Climate Action Network. This episode was produced by Miriam Owsley and Jeff Smith, hosted by Kate Madigan.