The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign hosted its fourth Critical Conversation, themed Climate (In)Securities in Great Lakes Communities. Dr. Ho-Tassone was invited to speak on a panel titled Critical Collaborations to Address Insecurities in the Great Lakes Region.
On Sept. 19-20, 2022, iSEE hosted academics, industry leaders, nonprofits, and government and NGO representatives at the University Club of Chicago for a conversation about climate insecurities in the Great Lakes region. More than 50 representatives from organizations such as the International Joint Commission, the Michigan Economic Center, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, We the People of Detroit, Current Water, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, Menīkānaehkem, and the Sierra Club all shared their unique perspectives on the climate-related issues affecting the Great Lakes communities. Our participants represented various regions surrounding the Great Lakes, across both the United States and Canada, which are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ontario, Wisconsin, and Québec. The whitepaper that emerged from this document can be read here.
Throughout the event and again during her closing remarks, Dr. Ho-Tassone highlighted problems with the engagement strategy and context of meetings like the iSEE conference in regards to engaging with more diverse voices, in more meaningful ways. As a result of her closing comments, the organizers requested she organize a regional follow-up event for Upper Great Lakes communities to participate in more localized critical conversations.
