WWU Alumna Roberta Riley to Speak on Climate Change May 5 at Western

Roberta Riley of CoolMom will discuss taking action on climate change as part of the WWU Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 5 in Communications Facility 110 on the Western Washington University campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Out of a love for storytelling, Riley regularly ventures off to all corners of Washington state to meet people who are feeling the effects of climate change and coming up with ways to solve the problem. In her Speakers Series talk titled “Climate Adventures Show and Tell,” Riley, a 1982 Huxley College grad, will share a few videos of these stories, ask for feedback, and encourage audience members to share their own climate change stories.

Riley manages the Climate Adventures Program for CoolMom, a Seattle based nonprofit that unites families to take action on climate change through education, lifestyle change and advocacy. In her former role as Legal Counsel for Planned Parenthood, she argued landmark federal court decisions that prompted American companies to cover prescription contraception in worker health plans. More recently, on behalf of Friends of UNFPA, she led the World at 7 Billion Project, a collaborative effort to emphasize the connection between women’s health and dignity and sustainability. Today she serves as communications director for NW Health Law Advocates. In 2014, Huxley College named Riley a Distinguished Alumna.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate.

The Huxley College Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental professionals and stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

For more information, please contact WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-2554 or Jen.VanderWeyden@wwu.edu.