RFK Jr. Lecture
at ASUto address environmental advocacy
Environmental activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. will speak
at Appalachian State University on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m.
in Farthing Auditorium.
Appalachian State University’s Division of Academic Affairs,
University College, and the Sustainable Development program, in
partnership with Appalachian Voices, an environmental advocacy
group based in Boone, present the lecture, which is free and open
to the public.
Kennedy’s lecture, entitled “Our Environmental Destiny,”
discusses the role that natural resources play in our work, our
health, and our identity as Americans. A passionate environmental
speaker, he reminds us that we have a responsibility to protect
and preserve our planet for future generations.
According to Dave Haney, vice provost for undergraduate education
at Appalachian, “This appearance by one of the nation’s
most highly respected environmental advocates provides an opportunity
to showcase the university’s sustainability and environmental
initiatives in our curriculum, outreach, and the campus itself,
as well as the important work being accomplished by a valued community
partner, Appalachian Voices.”
Mary Anne Hitt, executive director of Appalachian Voices, said,
“We are so pleased to welcome Mr. Kennedy to Appalachian
State University, and to give our community the opportunity to
hear from a true environmental hero. Mr. Kennedy is an incredible
speaker and a passionate advocate for the issues at the heart
of our mission at Appalachian Voices – clean water, clean
air, and healthy communities.”
Robert Kennedy Jr. is chief prosecuting attorney for the Hudson
Riverkeeper, senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense
Council, and president of the Waterkeeper Alliance, and is the
first among a new breed of environmentalist. A high-profile political
speaker and activist, he has used numerous media outlets, including
his 2004 book, Crimes Against Nature, to call into question the
environmental policies of the United States.
As a keynote speaker, Robert Kennedy Jr. delivers a passionate
defense of the environment and of how its continued neglect affects
the future of the planet and the health of future generations.
He advocates a direct and aggressive approach against entities
whose policies accelerate pollution and maintain the status quo.
Kennedy calls upon all people to actively make a difference in
their world.
Kennedy’s reputation as a resolute defender of the environment
stems from a litany of successful legal actions. He was named
one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet”
for his success helping Riverkeeper lead the fight to restore
the Hudson River. The group’s achievement helped spawn more
than 130 Waterkeeper organizations across the globe.
Kennedy serves as Clinical Professor and Supervising Attorney
at Pace University School of Law’s Environmental Litigation
Clinic and is co-host of Ring of Fire on Air America Radio. Earlier
in his career he served as Assistant District Attorney in New
York City. He has worked on several political campaigns, including
the presidential campaigns of Edward M. Kennedy in 1980, Al Gore
in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004.
He has worked on environmental issues across the Americas and
has assisted several indigenous tribes in Latin America and Canada
in successfully negotiating treaties protecting traditional homelands.
He is credited with leading the fight to protect New York City’s
water supply. The New York City watershed agreement, which he
negotiated on behalf of environmentalists and New York City watershed
consumers, is regarded as an international model in stakeholder
consensus negotiations and sustainable development. He helped
lead the fight to turn back the anti-environmental legislation
during the 104th Congress.
Among Kennedy’s published books are the New York Times’
bestseller Crimes Against Nature (2004), St. Francis of Assisi:
A Life of Joy (2005), The Riverkeepers (1997), and Judge Frank
M. Johnson, Jr: A Biography (1977). His articles have appeared
in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times,
The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, Atlantic Monthly,
Esquire, The Nation, Outside Magazine, The Village Voice, and
many other publications. His award winning articles have been
included in anthologies of America’s Best Crime Writing,
Best Political Writing and Best Science Writing.
Kennedy is a graduate of Harvard University. He studied at the
London School of Economics and received his law degree from the
University of Virginia Law School. Following graduation he attended
Pace University School of Law, where he was awarded a Masters
Degree in Environmental Law.
He is a licensed master falconer, and as often as possible he
pursues a life-long enthusiasm for white-water paddling. He has
organized and led several expeditions in Canada and Latin America,
including first descents on three little known rivers in Peru,
Colombia, and Venezuela.
For additional information about the Oct. 23 lecture program,
please call (828) 262.7660. For more information on Appalachian
Voices, see www.appvoices.org.
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