This news is from our friends at GEOS Institute, which “helps communities build resilience in the face of climate change using science and local knowledge.”
It has been an incredibly busy start to 2021. The Biden Administration has been pushing hard on climate action and federal agencies are working to restore critical work and funding. Our national reckoning on racial justice continues to move forward, making Black History Month particularly poignant this year. And in the midst of all of this, communities across the country are continuing to build climate resilience from the ground up.
Climate Equity & Justice Toolkit
On July 29, 2020, the Georgetown Climate Center launched the Equitable Adaptation Legal & Policy Toolkit, an online resource for communities and states working to develop and implement adaptation strategies that put frontline communities first.
This multi-level resource covers a broad range of topics with a wide depth of coverage. In particular, for ideas on how to prepare for a more equitable climate resilience planning process within your community start with:
- The section on Procedural Equity;
- The section on Community-Driven Engagement Processes, and within the tool for Utilizing General Frameworks & Guidance
The Center also released its Community Land = Community Resilience: How Community Land Trusts Can Support Urban Affordable Housing and Climate Initiatives. As we help communities adapt to climate change, we see firsthand how people living in poverty are often hit “first and worst” by the impacts of climate change. At the same time, they have the fewest resources to address these challenges.
Addressing social needs, such as affordable housing, is increasingly part and parcel of comprehensive climate programs designed to build resilience into the future. Written by adaptation leader and our long-term colleague, Jessica Grannis, this report is designed to help state and local leaders support community land trusts and work to enhance climate resilience.
Community land trusts, as nonprofit organizations with community-led governing structures, hold land in trust for the benefit of the community. They often provide and preserve affordable housing, steward community amenities like parks and green space, and provide other social services. Decision-making related to community land trusts can also be structured to center the voices of traditionally under-represented people, making them useful vehicles for moving social equity goals forward as well. Access the report.
Drawing from nine detailed case studies and other examples, Community Land = Community Resilience presents legal and policy recommendations and best practices to support using community land trusts to address housing affordability, while integrating features like green infrastructure and renewable energy that promote urban resilience and sustainability.
Webinar & Funding Opportunity: Tribal Climate Resilience Program
The Tribal Climate Resilience Program supports tribes preparing for climate change that impacts tribal treaty and trust resources, economies, infrastructure, and human health and safety. The Program will also provide funding for projects that support tribal resilience and ocean and coastal management planning. An information webinar will be held noon-1:15 PST, March 2. Learn more and register here. Proposals are due April 23. Learn more here.
Funding Opportunity: Thriving Cities Challenge
The Salazar Center for North American Conservation has opened its second annual Conservation Impact Prize, the Thriving Cities Challenge. This incentive award invites teams to submit and develop ideas that advance climate resilience and racial equity through nature-based solutions in their own communities. Applications are due at 5 pm MST on April 15. Get more information.