Strategies for Communities to Address Climate Change

How do we blend climate mitigation and adaptation strategies? Can be hard to find approaches that bring the two together. Good read from WRI that highlights five ways this could happen. Any others we can add to this list? 1. Protect Coastal Wetlands - Coastal ecosystems serve as natural water filtration systems and marine habitats, protecting against rising sea levels and floods, storms, etc. while also sequestering tons of carbon. "Increasing protected coastal wetlands and recovering about 40% of the ecosystem’s global coverage by 2050 could mitigate one gigaton of CO2 per year — over three years of emissions. " 2. Promote the Benefits of Sustainable Agroforestry - Agroforestry methods (integrating trees or shrubs with crops and livestock) can sequester 5-10X more carbon than treeless areas of the equal size. Farmers also use less land in the process and increase their income. "Expanding the use of this method to 554 million acres globally, estimated to require an investment of $41.6 billion, could help farmers realize $699 billion in financial gains from revenue diversification." 3. Decentralize Energy Distribution - Decentralized systems (e.g. powered by renewable energy with shorter transmission lines and smaller distribution areas) are more climate-resilient. "In the event of a disaster, a community with its own decentralized energy supply isn’t affected by power outages in other areas. Smaller, more manageable power sources can also recover from disasters more rapidly." 4. Secure Indigenous Peoples’ Land Rights - Indigenous and local communities manage almost 50% of land on the planet (~2.5 BN people rely on this land as well). Places where indigenous people have legal rights to their land have at least two times lower deforestation rates. Beyond these outcomes, these populations have managed these lands for generations, giving them rare expertise to adapt to changes in climate, weather, etc. 5. Improve Mass Transit - We need resilient, low-carbon mass transit. Transportation, namely road transport, is a massive GHG emitter, and is also highly vulnerable to increasing temperatures, storms, etc. Disruptions to mass transit can have a disproportionate effect on low-income communities as well. "Expanding urban public transportation by 40% by 2050 could decrease the projected number of cars on the road and avoid 6.6 gigatons of carbon emissions. Increased public transportation also has the added benefits of relieving traffic congestion, reducing accidents and fatalities, and improving air quality."

🔌From Tortillas to Tech: Mission Families Lead the Way in Electrifying Homes This week in the San Francisco's Mission, District something powerful happened: a community-led climate solution took root — one tortilla, one heat pump, one electric stove at a time.. Eight Mexican immigrant families began retrofitting their building to be 100% electric — ditching gas in the name of health, safety, and sustainability. The pilot is led by PODER, a grassroots environmental justice organization deeply rooted in the neighborhood, and supported by a Healthy Resilient Homes grant from the San Francisco Environment Department ✅ No gas ✅ No rent hikes ✅ No displacement ✅ Yes to clean air for familes through heat pumps, solar panels, EV chargers and electric stoves As Amparo Vigil — co-owner of Puerto Alegre and one of the tenants — shared: “Trust me, I love my tortillas. But it’s just not the healthiest thing to do.” This is what climate justice looks like: 🌱 Community-led 🏠 Equitable ⚡ Scalable 💚 Grounded in culture We're proud to fund solutions where the benefits are local and lasting — and where residents and communities aren’t just recipients of change, but the ones leading it. Let’s keep building forward. Let’s keep investing in people-powered progress. Deep gratitude to the leadership and partnership of PODER (People Organizing to Demand Environmental & Economic Rights) Antonio Diaz Christine Selig , and to my team at the San Francisco Environment Department: Cyndy Comerford Comerford, Nik Kaestner Benny Zank, and all those working behind the scenes to make community powered progress the norm. #JustTransition #ClimateEquity #HealthyHomes #SanFrancisco #Immigrants #ClimateInnovation #BuildingDecarbonization #environmentaljustice 📖 Read more in The SF Examiner by reporter Greg Wong: https://lnkd.in/g8ATnyTi 📸: PODER

A recent The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) blog post by Roxana Ayala unveils innovative strategies for improving energy efficiency in owner-occupied homes, with a focus on low-income and homeowners of color. Traditionally, cities’ energy efficiency programs gravitate towards larger buildings, leaving a significant portion of residential areas underserved. #Energyefficiency in these homes, however, offers a plethora of benefits — from improving residents' health and financial stability to mitigating climate change emissions. Milwaukee’s pioneering Energy Efficiency Program (Me2) offers low-interest loans for homeowners, requiring no down payment, home equity, or minimum credit score. These loans cover upgrades like insulation, air sealing, and efficient appliances, leading to a 30% average reduction in energy use. Philadelphia’s approach involves neighborhood energy centers (NECs) that serve as hubs for energy efficiency information and resources. Services include bill assistance, budget counseling, and weatherization assistance, making these crucial resources more accessible. These local policies serve as a testament to the positive ripple effects that can be achieved when cities are proactive about addressing energy efficiency. Sharing these models across cities can accelerate progress towards equitable energy deployment, fostering healthier homes, and reduced utility bills for all households. https://lnkd.in/g78xzzWf #EnergyEfficiency #ClimateChange #Sustainability #Housing #ACEEE #Innovation