SANTA MONICA – A new organization, California Climate Change Exchange (CA-CCX), will host a Kick-Off Forum featuring presentations by notable environmental activists, educators and policymakers. The forum, which will take place at the Church in Ocean Park on Sunday, October 27, 2013 from 12:45 – 3:30 pm, will be followed by a reception.  The church is located at 235 Hill Street in Santa Monica.

The October 27 event is the first in a series of climate change-related forums and workshops, designed to educate and engage community members in direct action. Speakers at the Kick-Off will include:

JONATHAN PARFREY, Executive Director of Climate Resolve and visiting lecturer at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, will discuss local impacts and action.

STATE SENATOR FRAN PAVLEY (SD 27), author of landmark laws capping greenhouse gas emissions in California, will speak about climate change and environmental policy in California. The laws, AB 1493 and AB 32, have become models for other states and nations.

BILL SELBY, author and Professor of Geography and Earth Science at Santa Monica College, will present an overview of the origins and current state of climate change.

Santa Monica-based CA-CCX, a project of the Church in Ocean Park, empowers individuals to learn about climate change, locally and beyond, and match their talents and passion with organizations that confront it.

“We’re very fortunate to live in a state that leads the way in climate-related policy and research,” states CA-CCX co-founder Katherine King. “Our group is working to mobilize people at the local scale and address the climate emergency as individuals within an informed, energized community.”

Admission is free. Due to limited space, those wishing to attend are urged to register online at http://www.churchop.org/ca_ccx_forum, or call Zac at (310) 399-1631. Attendees are urged to walk, bike or use public transportation. Limited street parking will also be available.