Out in Climate

?? On behalf of my co-leads Anna Bazley and Hayley Moller - I'm thrilled to share the kick-off event for Out in Climate London, happening on March 12 at 6 PM at The Ganton Arms, Carnaby Street! ?? Register here: https://lu.ma/slcfr4st ????? At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-climate rhetoric is rising globally, it’s more important than ever to build strong, supportive communities. That’s exactly what #OutinClimate is all about—creating a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals working on solutions to the climate crisis. ????? I strongly encourage participation by members of the LGBTQIA+ community (though allies are always welcome)! Let’s come together, connect, and inspire each other to make a difference. I hope to see many of you there! ?? - Shannon Lewis Adrian Silver Nick Rojas

Thank you Jason Wise for taking Out in Climate LA on an incredible ecology hike through Griffith Park last weekend! A few things I learned about wildfire <> vegetation interactions: - ?? Asexual reproduction for resilience: many plants, like Bay Trees, can reproduce asexually. This is crucial for regrowing after fires and droughts - even if trees’ branches/seeds are destroyed, all they need for asexual reproduction are their root stems. - ?? Fill your yard with native plants: LA has a huge problem with invasive Mustard Seed, which is highly flammable. Whereas most local native plants, like Laurel Sumac, evolved alongside fires to be highly flame-resistant and even hold extra water in their leaves. - ?? Cleaning soil chemicals: corn and sunflowers uptake chemicals so thoroughly from the soil that they’re routinely used for reclaiming contaminated (brownfield) sites. - ?? Wildfire effects on food crops: leafy greens like lettuce are more liable to absorb chemicals from smoke/ash through their surfaces. Plants with a hard epidermis like bell peppers are more resistant. So good to learn about the local environment with queer friends and colleagues ?? Here’s a bonus animal fact I learned: - New Mexico Whiptail Lizards have no “males”. Instead, they reproduce through parthenogenesis (aka “virgin birth”). California condors can do this too! #ecology #queerecology #wildfires #nativespecies #biodiversity #community #hike

Friends and colleagues in LA, I invite you to join Out in Climate and Jason Wise this Sunday for a guided hike focused on how our city can regrow from the fires. I'm excited to learn about effective vegetation management and how different native & invasive species interact with fires. We will also identify a variety of asexual/bisexual/gay plants! ???? This event intends to center queer climate professionals, but allies are welcome too. Register here: https://lu.ma/r97xe930 #hike #community #wildfires #vegetationmanagement #outinclimate #queerecology

Only a few spots left! Join Out in Climate next week for a tour of Cornell Tech with Michael Samuelian, founding director of the?Jacobs Urban Technology Hub. The tour will be followed by a happy hour at the Panorama Room. Register ASAP at https://lu.ma/kszbh2l6 I'll also use this opportunity to share the exciting news that I've joined the steering committee of Out in Climate, joining forces with a great team that includes Adrian Silver, Shannon Lewis, Emory Lee, Max Joshua, and Nick Rojas. After finding Out in Climate just over a year ago, I immediately found a community that I'd been seeking. Out in Climate fosters connections among LGBTQ+ professionals, promotes mentorship to support and grow the climate community, and amplifies the perspectives and experiences of queer individuals working on climate solutions. So excited to kick off the new year with this amazing group, and hope to see some new faces next week! If you can't make it or aren't in NYC, you can find out about future events here and all over the country through our mailing list: https://lnkd.in/eWtNkNRs