This year an unprecedented number of people will feel the impacts of climate-fueled weather events. Given the additional cuts to NOAA, FEMA and other critical public services – more people and entire communities will be at risk without federal resources. We know that when extreme weather hits, it is neighbors and networks who will continue to be the main frontline responders. Climate resilience is about every community having what it needs to adapt to, withstand, and recover sustainably from climate-related disasters.
We all share a responsibility to ensure each other’s safety and the protection of the planet. Frontline communities have already weathered through many severe political and real storms, and have important knowledge to share with others about bringing the community together and taking care of each other during disaster moments. There is so much wisdom that exists that can be exchanged to help one another prepare.
That’s why during the “Stronger Together: Solidarity Summer” campaign week of August 4-8, we invited organizations to collectively share their stories and resources about how communities can take care of each other and build positive climate resilience solutions. There were many great community-based solutions and pieces of wisdom shared, with over 50 organizations participating.
Here’s some of the great stories shared during the campaign.
We held a conversation with climate organizers in Texas about how communities can better prepare before, during and after climate disasters hit. If you’re feeling scared or powerless in the face of increased extreme weather – this conversation featuring West Street Recovery, CEER Houston, and Go Austin/Vamos Austin is for you.
Frontline community groups in Miami have had to learn what it takes to protect their communities during extreme weather. Through hurricanes, floods and high heat, they have come together to build incredible strategic knowledge about how to take care of those around you when status quo systems break down and the institutions you might rely on, aren’t there. Hear from The Smile Trust and Catalyst Miami on their lessons learned and the power of their communities to protect the people they love and places they call home.
“These are efforts that we can all join in and support, becoming part of the solution and adding to the abundance in our own communities. Whatever your skills and talents are—growing, cooking, fixing, creating—they are needed in your community now. It’s important that we get off our screens and into our streets because local solutions are often the most powerful. None of us can survive this alone, but we can thrive together.”
Gloria Walton. Common Dreams: Roll up Your Sleeves for Climate Resilience Summer
We are also hosting our website with existing resources and stories from partner organizations around climate resilience. It will act as an ongoing hub for the climate justice movement to host the collective knowledge offered for all communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover sustainably from climate disasters with care for people and the planet.
Consider submitting any resources, stories or case studies your team has built.