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JCCC Epicenter 2026: The Future Isn’t Lost: Science-Based Hope in an Age of Climate Change

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Thursday, April 23, 2026
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us for Epicenter 2026, a FREE one-day conference exploring scientific reasons to be hopeful for the future of our world, even in the face of climate change, injustice, and other global crises. 

Featuring insights into the new science of climate emotions and evidence-based hopeful trends, learn from national and local speakers and participate in an interactive activity highlighting how and why hope and engagement are impactful for climate action on local and global levels.

Epicenter 2026 is open to JCCC students, faculty, and staff, as well as high school juniors and seniors. Registration will open on Monday, February 2, and close on Sunday, April 19.

This event is FREE but pre-registration is required for attendance.

Sign Up

Conference Agenda

Time

Location

Session

9-9:30 a.m.

Nerman Museum Atrium

Check-in and continental breakfast (free for Epicenter participants)

9:30-10:45 a.m.

Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Keynote Speaker:
This keynote draws on the new science of climate emotions and evidence-based hopeful trends to provide a much-needed response to the global narrative of doomism – an outlook that severely impacts our emotional and mental health and reduces our collective ability to tackle the very real climate justice and other crises we face.

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Hudson Auditorium (NMOCA 217)

Panel Speakers:
Panel discussing reasons to be hopeful about climate change as it relates to the Kansas City region specifically.

12:15-1 p.m.

Regnier Center (RC) 101 A/B

Vegetarian Lunch (free for Epicenter participants)

1-2 p.m.

Regnier Center (RC) 101 C/D

Interactive Activity:
Engaging activity on hope and climate change, led by keynote speaker Dr. elin kelsey.