JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— The public is invited to a free documentary screening hosted by the Center for Biological Diversity and Florida Rising on Thursday, Feb. 12.
Can’t Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines weaves interviews with LGBTQ2S+ artists, organizers and educators across Florida into an intersectional climate justice narrative.
“This movie shows how you can't separate environmental and social issues. Climate change is driven by powerful industries and often hurts those who are already marginalized the most,” said Kelley Dennings, a senior campaigner at the Center. “It also highlights wonderful Jacksonville community organizers working to build a more just and inclusive city.”
Florida has been ground zero not only for sea-level rise and climate change, but also for contamination through trash-burning systems such as incinerators.
“This documentary is a story that the public won’t see in the mainstream media,” said Christian Gonzalez-Orbegoso, Jacksonville regional director at Florida Rising. “It gives us a moment to think about how we can expand our climate justice work with marginalized communities disproportionately affected by contamination from fossil fuels and incinerators.”
Everyone who attends the film viewing will receive a free sexual health emergency preparedness kit that includes condoms, period products, and emergency contraception.
What: Free screening of the documentary Can't Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines.
When: Thursday, Feb. 12, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Florida Rising’s office, 245 Riverside Ave, Riverfront Conference Room, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Plenty of free parking is available.
Panelists:
- Dr. Amber Barnes, associate professor in the Department of Public Health at the University of North Florida
- Paige Mahogany Parks, founder of the Transgender Awareness Project and participant in film
- Valerie Koball, member of the steering committee for the Jax Mutual Aid Collective
Pre-registration is required here.
Background
A 2020 study found that if the climate crisis isn’t addressed, as many as 3 billion people will be living in areas considered too hot for human survival within 50 years. Those most affected will be the ones who are least responsible for the greenhouse gas emissions but bear the disproportionate burden of an unjust, polluting system.
Extreme heat and other effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions harm everyone but are more harmful to women, gender-diverse people, and Black, Indigenous and people of color. Climate change is worsening a wide range of health outcomes like heat-related illness, vector-borne diseases, asthma, allergies, malnutrition and mental health.
