Chicago Underwater: The Impacts of Flooding
November 2, 2023
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Location
Gallery 400
Address
400 South Peoria Street, Chicago, IL 60607
Cost
FREE
Calendar
Download iCal FileHeavy rainwater hit Chicago this summer, leading to unprecedented flooding—just one example of unusual and extreme weather underscoring the ongoing climate crisis. Not only does this flooding contribute to the housing crisis and water access with deadly results, its effect is often concentrated in historically-marginalized areas on the south and west sides.
For this program, join policy-maker Marcella Bondie Keenan, local activist Cheryl Watson, and Fresh Water Lab founder Rachel Havrelock as they address rampant flooding and sustainable solutions.
ABOUT
Marcella Bondie Keenan is an environmental scientist, urban planning, and policy professional based in the Chicago area focused on environmental justice, climate mitigation and adaptation, and nature-based solutions. They are passionate about inclusive planning and policy design that advances community voice and ownership.
Rachel Havrelock is a Great Lakes enthusiast and open water swimmer. She is a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), where she directs the Freshwater Lab. The Freshwater Lab generates research and policy on transboundary water systems and climate change adaptation; trains a new generation of water leaders; and creates public-facing media like the Freshwater Stories and Backward River digital platforms. Rachel grew up on the Great Lakes, received a B.A. from the University of California Santa Cruz, and earned her PhD at the University of California Berkeley. Her initial research focused on the Middle East where she learned the art of environmental peacebuilding from the NGO Ecopeace Middle East. Following a fellowship with the U.S. State Department, Rachel brought together mayors from cities around the Great Lakes and the Jordan River Valley to share best practices and sign a Sister Waters Agreement. She has worked with elected officials and community leaders to promote access and water justice across these regions. An active scholar and voice in the media, Rachel’s current research considers water recycling as a solution to depleted watersheds.
Date posted
Sep 26, 2023
Date updated
Sep 26, 2023