Adaptation Equity Portal
Two of the biggest challenges facing the United States - and the world - are the growing inequalities that unfairly disadvantage large segments of the population, and climate change, which exacerbates existing risks in our communities. The effects of climate change including rising temperatures, more polluted air, and more frequent and intense extreme storms, will disproportionally affect already poor and disenfranchised people. Policymakers must find ways to focus not only on the physical impacts of climate change, but also on the ways that policies can have a differential impact on certain individuals and communities. In this portal we will refer to people facing disproportionate climate impacts as "frontline communities" since these are groups that are on the frontlines of impacts from climate change.
READ MOREUltimately, our goals must go beyond preventing climate harm, but also include approaches that reduce the existing challenges faced by poor and minority communities - such as a lack of economic mobility, racism, and pollution - that makes these groups disproportionally vulnerable.
The Equity Adaptation Portal was built in partnership with an advisory team who provided feedback throughout the process. Members of this advisory team represent the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Emerald Cities Collaborative, the Gulf Coast Center for Law & Policy, Future Insight Consulting, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Representatives from Seattle, Washington DC, Baltimore, and Cleveland also provided input through the advisory team.
Photo: Courtesy of the City of Baltimore Office of Sustainability. Photographer: Kelly Lynch
SHOW LESSAn Introduction to Adaptation and Equity
Climate change is often described as a threat multiplier - and this applies to social inequities. For example, people already struggling to find affordable housing will face more difficulty if extreme weather damages a significant number of units. Explore the resources below to better understand how climate change will have disproportionate impacts on people of color, low-income individuals, and other groups on the "frontlines" of climate change. Also, learn some of the strategies being used to address disproportionate risks.
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NAACP - Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation - Action Toolkit
April 29, 2019
From the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), this comprehensive Toolkit provides a series of modules to help NAACP chapters and other advocates mediate climate adaptation planning processes and ensure that adaptation plans and policies meet local needs, while focusing on frontline communities, environmental and climate justice, and equity. The Toolkit provides guidance to help community groups and advocates develop an Environmental and Climate Justice (ECJ) Committee to inform adaptation planning and policy through 19 different Modules.
Related Organizations: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Author or Affiliated User: Jacqui Patterson
Resource Category: Planning
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Everybody’s Movement - Environmental Justice and Climate Change
December 2009
Everybody’s Movement: Environmental Justice and Climate Change describes how mitigating and adapting to climate change must be everybody’s movement, in order to be successful. This report aims to provide answers to the question: “What will it take to create a climate change movement that engages everyone. ” In doing so, the Environmental Support Center intends to contribute to creating a more participatory, inclusive climate change movement in the U. S. with the full engagement of poor communities and communities of color.
Related Organizations: Environmental Support Center
Author or Affiliated User: Angela Park
Resource Category: Solutions
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NAACP Equity in Building Resilience in Adaptation Planning
January 26, 2015
From the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), this report contains a list of equity based indicators that are measures of vulnerability and resilience to climate change impacts. The indicators were developed for both pre-existing vulnerabilities and assets, as well as for processes and results of resiliency planning. The aim of this resource is for city planners, community organizations, elected officials, and other decision-makers to consider these equity based indicators as they design climate adaptation plans.
Related Organizations: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Resource Category: Planning
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Community-Driven Climate Resilience Planning: A Framework
May 2017
Informed by community-based organizations from across the country,this report outlines a framework to meaningfully engage vulnerable and impacted communities in defining and building climate resilience. The guide seeks to use climate resilience activities to better build momentum for change, build a new economy and community-based financing, deepen democracy and improve governance, and activate ecological and cultural wisdom. In addition to describing guiding principles and elements of community-driven planning, the report provides examples of case studies where communities have taken a central role in resilience planning. The guide is primarily aimed at other community-based organizations, but it may also be useful for philanthropy and public sector officials.
Related Organizations: National Association of Climate Resilience Planners, Movement Strategy Center
Author or Affiliated User: Rosa González
Resource Category: Planning
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Guide to Equitable, Community-Driven Climate Preparedness Planning
May 2017
From the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), this guide is aimed at local government and outlines a framework for designing and implementing a community-driven, equitable climate preparedness planning process. Community-driven planning empowers those experiencing the greatest climate risks to co-define the solutions. Rather than treating equity as a component of climate preparedness planning, this guide suggests that equity should be at the center of any adaptation approach. It outlines why traditional planning falls short of supporting equity, describes why climate change vulnerability is not evenly spread, and identifies how typical adaptation strategies can be reframed to focus on equity. Throughout the document, examples from cities are presented to showcase real-world applications.
Explore more resources like this by joining our Adaptation Equity Portal
Related Organizations: Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)
Authors or Affiliated Users: Tina Yuen, Eric Yurkovich, Beth Altshuler, Lauren Grabowski
Resource Category: Planning
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Mapping Our Future: A Work Plan for Public Engagement and Equity in Climate Adaptation Planning in the San Francisco Bay Area
February 2013
This report presents a work plan for regional agencies to partner with community groups on climate adaptation, and support local governments in doing so as well. It also provides parallel recommendations for funders and community groups.
Related Organizations: Bay Localize, Rooted in Resilience, The Kresge Foundation
Author or Affiliated User: Kirsten Schwind
Resource Category: Education and Outreach
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Opportunities for Equitable Adaptation in Cities: A Workshop Summary Report
February 15, 2017
This summary report describes the conversations and discussions of participants during a two-day workshop help in April 2016 focusing on on city-level actions that would support social justice goals and better prepare communities for the effects of climate change. The workshop convened nearly 50 thought leaders on equity and climate adaptation, including city officials, representatives of environmental justice and social justice organizations, state and federal partners, and funders who support this work.
Related Organizations: Georgetown Climate Center
Authors or Affiliated Users: Melissa Deas, Jessica Grannis, James DeWeese, Sara Hoverter
Resource Category: Planning
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Equity Foundations: USDN Capacity Building Program
2016
In September 2015, the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), in partnership with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity and the Center for Social Inclusion, launched a professional development program for sustainability directors and their staff for advancing racial equity into sustainability planning and development. The program became available online and includes a holistic curriculum of five webinars, videos and worksheets to support local government staff in applying an equity lens to sustainability projects.
Related Organizations: Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN)
Resource Category: Education and Outreach
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Pathways to Resilience: Transforming Cities in a Changing Climate
January 2015
From the Kresge Foundation, this report explores the strategies and policies for climate resiliency in urban areas, with a focus on social equity. The report distills a vision developed through interviews and independent research through the Pathways to Resilience (P2R) Initiative. The vision of climate resilience is grounded in the perspectives of low-income communities and communities of color - and comprised of the following core elements, including:
Related Organizations: The Kresge Foundation
Resource Category: Solutions
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Climate Change, Environmental Challenges and Vulnerable Communities: Assessing Legacies of the Past, Building Opportunities for the Future
February 2012
From the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, this report presents research on demographic, health and environmental data for Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. This research examines the effects of extreme weather events and climate-related challenges among vulnerable populations, and highlights opportunities for future adaptive actions, policies and priorities that incorporate social equity into their goals.
Related Organizations: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Resource Category: Assessments
