The fall semester of Zube Lectures kicks off with "Solutions Through Empowerment: Why Health and Education Matter to Climate Change," a special, one-time-only, virtual talk presented by Hannah Evans, Senior Analyst of Outreach and Global Partnerships at Population Connection. The webinar will be held on Zoom on Thursday, September 10th, at 4:00 p.m. This virtual talk is free and open to the public. No registration required. Zoom Webinar Link: https://umass-amherst.zoom.us/j/91851697293 About the Talk Worldwide, population pressures contribute to immediate dangers like food insecurity, natural resource scarcity, inequality, and climate-changing emissions. Yet, the relationship between population and climate change is complex. Although the carbon footprints of most of the world’s population are negligible relative to that of the average American or European, low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately vulnerable to climate impacts like rising sea-levels and extreme weather events. Additionally, the close relationship between high fertility and poverty throughout the world worsens climate vulnerability and puts more people at risk. This presentation uses a climate justice framework to explore the ways in which demographic trends impact and are impacted by climate change and argues that gender equality must be better integrated into global climate solutions. The talk will conclude with a discussion on the ways in which expanding access to health care and education—especially for women, girls, and reproductively capable people—act as necessary building blocks for climate adaptation and resilience across the globe. About the Speaker Hannah Evans is interested in working with students, professors, and activists to promote positive social and environmental change. Her work investigates the ways in population dynamics intersect with global social, political, economic, and environmental systems and advocates for integrated developmental solutions that simultaneously combat climate change and societal injustices. She develops and gives comprehensive, solution-oriented presentations focused on the connections between global population growth, access to health care and education, women’s empowerment, and climate adaptation. Through an examination of some of the root causes of high fertility, Evans' work seeks to highlight the interconnections between poverty, resource use and consumption, population pressures, women’s rights, and environmental challenges made worse by climate change. At Population Connection, she focuses on public speaking and the development of open-source, academic-style resources. She also cultivates partnerships between Population Connection and international NGOs. Before joining Population Connection’s staff, Evans worked as an adjunct professor of Women’s Studies and taught classes on gender, science, and feminist theory. She has non-profit experience working as a program developer for sustainable agriculture and public health programs in Honduras and Panama and has worked as a researcher studying food security issues throughout Southern California. Evans holds a BA in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Conservation and Political Science and a Master’s in Political Ecology from San Diego State University, where her research focused on sustainability labeling and ethical consumption between the United States and Nicaragua.