Will communities of color have a place at the table now that the Obama administration is poised to break the political gridlock on climate change policy? The New York City-based environmental justice organization WE ACT presents a national forum on climate change and social justice on January 29-30, "Advancing Climate Justice: Transforming the Economy, Public Health and Our Environment." From the website:

"Poorer communities are feeling the effects of climate change more harshly than affluent communities, which typically have the resources to deal with the problems arising as a result of this phenomenon. There is the need to ensure that in the evolving debate on climate change, communities of color and low income are prepared to play an active role in the development and implementation of policies that will affect their residents’ and stakeholders’ quality of life. "On January 29-30, 2009 WE ACT will convene environmental justice advocates, community leaders and stakeholders from New York City and other parts of the nation around issues of climate change at a groundbreaking 2-day conference. Speakers will present findings on several topics related to climate change and its environmental, public health and economic impacts, discuss the multi-faceted impact of climate change on communities of color and low-income, advance and promote the concept of climate justice and jointly develop policy recommendations designed to secure climate justice in communities of color and low income."

For more information, go here.