Join us on Wednesday, April 13th 7:00 – 8:00 PM EDT for a virtual screening of the 14-minunte film "Forests," from the acclaimed series “Climate Emergency: Feedback Loops,” followed by a panel discussion. 

Aired on PBS and presented at COP26 in Glasgow in November, "Climate Emergency" highlights the compounding effects of climate change. Producer/Writer Bonnie Waltch and a compelling panel of scientific experts and community activists will discuss the challenges and actions being taken to protect forests globally and close to home – and give you tips on what you can do in your community to help address these challenges. Sabrina Shankman, climate reporter for The Boston Globe, will moderate. More speakers will be announced soon. 

Forests play a significant role in reducing the risk of natural disasters, including floods, droughts, landslides, heat waves and other extreme events. They mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration, contribute to the balance of oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity in the air, and protect watersheds, which supply 75% of freshwater worldwide. Trees also provide vital shade in urban spaces threatened by heat island effects, and deepen human connections with the natural world. 

The primary aims of this event are to: 

• Increase awareness of the impact and importance of the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, specifically forests.

• Engage with an expert panel on efforts in the Statehouse and other initiatives underway to protect Massachusetts’s forests and trees and use these examples in any community.

• Enable event participants to commit to individual actions to support these initiatives.