CDC's canceled climate change conference is back on - thanks to Al Gore

[DonViejo]

Source: The Washington Post

By Brady Dennis January 26 at 3:03 PM

It turns out there will be a conference in Atlanta next month about climate change and its effects on public health. It just won’t have the federal government behind it. The reason? Former vice president Al Gore.

“He called me and we talked about it and we said, ‘There’s still a void and still a need.’ We said, ‘Let’s make this thing happen,’ ” said Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “It was a no-brainer.”

News of a revived conference comes days after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention abruptly canceled its long-planned Climate and Health Summit in the lead-up to the change in White House administrations. Benjamin called the move a “strategic retreat” given the climate skepticism of the incoming administration. Emails sent to participants and scheduled speakers did not explain the reason behind CDC’s decision. Nor did the agency offer an explanation in response to a request for comment from The Washington Post, saying only that it was exploring the possibility of holding the event later in the year.

The meeting now planned for Feb. 16 will take place outside of any government circles. Rather than at CDC, it will be held at the nonprofit Carter Center in Atlanta. It will be a one-day event rather than the three days originally planned. Its sponsors now include nongovernmental groups such as the Harvard Global Health Institute, the Turner Foundation and the Climate Reality Project, an education and advocacy group founded by Gore. Organizers say they are aiming to attract as many as 200 attendees from around the country to talk about the mounting risks to human health posed by climate change.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/01/26/cdcs-canceled-climate-change-conference-is-back-on-thanks-to-al-gore/?utm_term=.6bd8e48091ec&wpisrc=nl_evening&wpmm=1

[LisaM]

1. He's a good man.

And we live in a country stupid enough to bypass him as President.

[m-lekktor]

2. THANK YOU, Al Gore!

[Nitram]

3. This is great news!

We can't be cowed by Trump's empty bravado.

[Ilsa]

4. Al Gore is RESISTING too!

So is everyone going to the conference.

[Deb]

5. Real leaders are making it possible

This gives me hope that progress can be made in spite of trump. Great idea to use the Carter Center!

[Dismade]

6. good news

[tenorly]

7. Our President-in-exile.

[femmocrat]

8. Thank you, President Gore.

Sorry I criticized you for going to drumpf tower.

[ailsagirl]

9. Let's hear it for GORE!!!!

He's worked too hard to let drumpfffft just blow it away-- another patriot

[Ellen Forradalom]

10. A fine man who would've made a good President

[pnwmom]

11. And thanks to the Carter Center for hosting the event. nt

[TranssexualKaren]

12. The people in power are no match for the power of the people!!!!

[nolabear]

13. We're going to save them in spite of themselves

[Madam45for2923]

14. Yay! Some good news today!

[hamsterjill]

15. He was my President.

Love Al. I still remember his concession. Broke my heart.

But that's a Democrat for you. He was denied the Presidency, but went on to contribute to the world.

[Doitnow]

18. Notice how past Democratic presidents go on to do great things and Rethugs do nothing!!!!

[Lucinda]

16. KNR

[Delmette2.0]

17. There is always another way to accomplish a goal.

Thank you Al Gore!!

[Cha]

19. Good.. just because blotus is a stupid climate change denier

doesn't mean we roll over.