Fossil Fuel Phase-Out and a Just Transition from California to the Amazon
In a time of climate crisis, wars for oil, and rising authoritarianism threatening people and planet, we find hope in resistance and in solutions led by Indigenous peoples and local communities calling for phasing out fossil fuels and a just transition to local, clean and renewable energy. We are also encouraged by subnational and international commitments, including California’s investigation of its imports of oil from the Amazon and its plans to phase out its use of fossil fuel by 2045, as well as Colombia’s announcement during COP30 that it won’t license any new oil extraction. Colombia will, in fact, host the First International Conference for the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels this April together with the Netherlands and several other countries. In this session, some local, national and international leaders in the Just Transition Movement will delve into the challenges and opportunities and share their strategies. With: Michelle Chan, Co-Executive Director of Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN); Katie Valenzuela, CA Policy Consultant & former Sacramento City Council Member; Josh Becker, CA State Senator (D-13) and author of SR 51, a unanimously approved CA state resolution to review imports of crude oil from the Amazon rainforest and an eventual phase-out; and Nadino Calapucha, a young Kichwa leader from the Shiwakucha community in the Ecuadorian Amazon and President of the TU AMAZONÍA Foundation. Hosted by Leila Salazar-López, Executive Director of Amazon Watch.
Goldman Theater, Brower Center
Add to your calendar
GOOGLE CALENDAR OUTLOOK APPLE CALENDAR / ICSMarch 26th | 3:00 pm to 4:15 pm
Panelists
Michelle Chan
Co-Executive Director
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
Michelle Chan is the Co- Executive Director of the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN), a California-based environmental justice organization that builds the power of Asian immigrant and refugee communities and advances climate resilience, affordable housing and a just transition off fossil fuels. Prior to joining APEN, Michelle was the VP of Programs for Friends of the Earth (FOE) US, where she provided strategic leadership for campaigns on climate, energy, oceans, food and economic justice. Previously, she led FOE’s Economic Policy team, and campaigned to hold Wall Street accountable for its environmental impacts.
Nadino Calapucha
President
TU AMAZONÍA Foundation
Nadino Calapucha, a young Kichwa leader from the Shiwakucha community in the Ecuadorian Amazon, has, since his childhood championed the rights of his people and advocated for Indigenous rights and protection of the Amazon at international fora, including the UNFCCC negotiations. He has held leadership roles in multiple Indigenous organizations, including the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) and the Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin (COICA), and he currently serves as President of the TU AMAZONÍA Foundation. Since 2013, Nadino, who holds a law degree from the Private Technical University of Loja (UTPL), has also led the intercultural Amazonian music band KAMBAK.
Katie Valenzuela
CA Policy Consultant
Katie Valenzuela, a policy consultant based in Sacramento, CA, has empowered communities, organizations, and coalitions to engage in state and local policy for 25+ years. She has built legislative campaigns for education justice, civil rights, food access, public safety, public health, housing access, and environmental justice. Katie’s experience includes serving as a member of the Sacramento City Council from December 2020 to 2024, as Policy and Political Director for the California Environmental Justice Alliance, as Principal Consultant for the California Legislature’s Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies, and as a founding board member of the Sacramento Community Land Trust. She has shared her expertise as an invited speaker and training session leader at major venues across the country.
Josh Becker
Senator
State of California
Senator Josh Becker, JD/MBA, a public policy innovator working at the nexus of community activism, technology and social justice, was elected to the California State Senate in 2020, representing the 13th District, which comprises most of San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County. Among his many accomplishments, Josh worked with refugees in war-torn Central America in the 90s; later created Full Circle, a community leadership and policy innovation organization; served 7 years on the California State Workforce Development Board; was a founding trustee at UC Merced; co-founded New Cycle Capital, a pioneer in building socially responsible businesses; founded a legal tech accelerator to support innovative entrepreneurs in the public policy realm; and, while still a student, co-founded the Stanford Board Fellows program, which trains students to serve on the boards of local nonprofits. (sd13.senate.ca.gov)
Leila Salazar-López
