Farmlab Public Salon
Angela Johnson Meszaros
Friday, October 26, 2007 @ Noon
Free-of-Charge



AB 32—California's Climate Change Law and What It Says About our Values and Society


About the Salon

When California adopted the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32) it sent a statement heard around the world. The question is, what was the statement? Join an exploration of AB 32—what the law calls for and what it says about policy, values, and the fight against climate change.

About the Salon Presenter

Angela Johnson Meszaros is Director of Policy and General Counsel for the California Environmental Rights Alliance (CERA). She has nearly 15 years of experience working with communities and organizations on environmental justice issues in the Los Angeles region. During this time, Angela has used a range of tools to enhance the health, safety, and quality of life of low-income communities of color negatively impacted by environmental hazards including: litigation in federal and state court; filing regulatory challenges; lobbying state legislators; providing community legal education; providing community technical assistance in campaign development, strategic planning, fundraising, document analysis, and regulatory agency operations; testifying before relevant committees, boards and commissions; serving on agency policy workgroups; engaging in media advocacy; and mediating negotiations with a wide range of stakeholders. Angela’s efforts have been focused on policy development, implementation, and enforcement in a variety of environmental issues including: the impacts climate change policy on communities of color, enforcement of the provisions of the Clean Air Act, enhanced public participation in environmental decision-making, reducing childhood lead poisoning, defending against destructive freeway siting, stopping inappropriate siting of sources of air pollution, understanding land use policies and their impact on community health, reducing health impacts of air toxics from mobile and stationary sources, and air permit development and compliance.

Prior to joining CERA, Angela was a Research Associate at the University of Southern California’s Sustainable Cities Program where she explored the intersections between environmental sustainability and social justice, the role of networks in environmental justice work in the Los Angeles region, and the need for more parks in the urban core of cities. Previously, Angela was the Executive Director of the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund where she worked to understand, encourage, and engage voters of color on environmental issues. Angela also has served as a staff attorney with Environmental Defense and she was an echoing green fellow for three years during which she provided legal, community organizing, and policy development support to several Los Angeles area communities and organizations.

Angela is currently co-chair of the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee on the Implementation of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32); a member of the Land Use Subgroup of the California Climate Action Team; the Chair of the Board of the Economic Roundtable, a non-profit organization that conducts research and implements programs that contribute to the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and communities; and a member of the California State Bar.

Angela holds both a degree in philosophy and a law degree from the University of Southern California.

Farmlab Photo by Sarah McCabe

Labels: ,

 



0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home