In 2015-16, the El Niño weather cycle led to food shortages caused by drought conditions in large swathes of Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, and Mozambique. By 2018, the climate change related drought led to fears about Cape Town becoming the first city in the world to run out of water.

We often hear that climate will impact future generations. While true, our panelists, focusing on climate change, climate migration, food scarcity and the areas donation needs, will make clear that the future is now and that the most vulnerable are already facing the disastrous effects of climate change.

Moderator: Noliwe Rooks, Professor, Africana Studies, Director of American Studies

Panelists:

▪ Natalie M. Mahowald, Irving Porter Church Professor, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences/College of Engineering, Faculty Director Atkinson Center

▪ Rachel Bezner Kerr, Professor, Development Sociology, Faculty Fellow Atkinson Center

▪ N'Dri Therese Assie-Lumumba, Professor, Africana Studies, President of the World Council of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES)

▪ Maria Cristina Garcia, Howard A. Newman Professor of American Studies, Department of History and Latino Studies Program