Bellarmine's annual Justice Summit was a resounding success, with students spending the day learning about the pressing and multifaceted issues of environmental and climate justice.
The Opening Plenary was delivered by Dr. Richard Nevle, who formerly taught at Bellarmine and Santa Clara University, and currently serves as Deputy Director of Stanford University's Earth Systems Program. A published author and researcher, Dr. Nevle shared a glimpse into the alarming state of California's native ecosystems as a call to action for students to learn about and contribute to climate conservation efforts -- even just by way of starting the conversation with their peers.
Students spent the rest of the day participating in 50 breakout sessions led by student presenters and community partners, covering topics like renewable energy, deforestation, pollution, food insecurity, composting, and much more. From repairing bikes in the Quad to navigating an Ocean Conservation Escape Room, the breakout sessions were engaging and inspiring!
The Justice Summit concluded with a closing prayer and reflections on how the Bellarmine community can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.