Sunrise Senior College Online Course Registration

Sunrise Senior College is pleased to present – Ms. Jacinta Mbithe Kinyunzu, who’s course, “Climate Change through Generational Eyes,” will explore how climate change impacts the health and wellbeing of different generations. Jacinta is an expert in environmental chemistry and whose academic and professional journey is driven by a deep passion for the environment and a commitment to addressing the critical issues posed by climate change. She will be speaking to us from Africa where she is on the faculty of Science at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. She will explore how climate change impacts the health and wellbeing of different generations with a focus on the experiences, challenges and strengths of older adults in coastal communities like ours.

The class will examine how rising seas, changing weather patterns and shifting ecosystems affect physical health, mental and emotional wellbeing and community life. She will use global case studies and local perspectives, participants will share stories, compare experiences across ages and discuss strategies for resilience. Together, we will celebrate the wisdom, adaptability and leadership that older generations bring to safeguarding community wellbeing in a changing climate.

Instructor: Jacinta Mbithe Kinyunzu is an environmental chemist and higher education professional with a Masters in Environmental Chemistry and over eight years of teaching experience at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. She is as well affiliated to Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS) as part of the second cohort of Diversifying Ocean Science (DOS) 2024 with an emphasis on aquarium science working on “Isotope Analysis Variation in Jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium” and in the ICONIC Oceans Diet Working Group, applying stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen from shark teeth at the Stable Isotope Ecosystem Lab, UC Merced, to understand historical and present-day ocean ecosystem changes. A program designed to help participants enhance their ocean science skills, broaden their professional networks and gain meaningful mentorship. A Mawazo Institute peer mentor to both undergraduate and postgraduate students in African universities; the GLOW Movement team member addressing climate change and health in coastal Kenya and the IOC Ocean Academy, studying climate impacts on marine biodiversity and coastal communities. Her work blends scientific analysis with global case studies to examine the socio-economic, ecological and cultural dimensions of climate change impacts on coastal communities.

Class Information:  This is a hybrid class - held in-person in UM@M’s room SCI 102 and via Zoom.   The instructor will teach this remotely on Zoom.

All facilities at the University of Maine at Machias (UM@M) are fully handicap compliant.  The facilities used by Sunrise Senior College (SSC) at the college have ramps, elevators and handicap accessible bathrooms.  Our offsite functions and activities have various limitations and restrictions and may not be fully handicap accessible.  SSC will endeavor to identify limitations at these to you in advance.

                                                   IMPORTANT:  See Below

“Sunrise Senior College does not endorse any appeal or representation made by a presenter, non-profit organization or business during an SSC presentation.  SSC members attending the presentations may wish to pursue additional involvement with the organization or presenter based on the material that was presented and in doing so, they are acting on their own and not as part of SSC.”

This class is available to all current Maine Senior College (MSCN) Members. The general public not wishing to join Sunrise Senior College at this time may attend this class for a $20.00 fee.

Important: If at this time you are not a current member of Sunrise Senior College (SSC) but are planning to join as a member today, make sure you answer that “Your SSC membership is current” when checking out so that we can properly bill you for this class.

Sunrise Senior College (SSC) is a membership-based organization. Our SSC members receive special benefits as current members when they register for this course. Any member of another MSCN college is also able to enjoy this course, but may incur some additional charges. If you are a member of the general public, you can take this course but will have to pay additional fees associated with being a non-member. For any attendee that is not a current member of Sunrise Senior College, any materials required for the course are your responsibility. When checking out, please carefully read and answer the questions asked associated with this specific course so that you are charged appropriately for this class. Failure to do this may result in your being cancelled from the course. We hope you enjoy this offering.