Including equity in climate action is of the utmost importance, but many climate policy actors may be unsure of how exactly to include equity effectively in their climate programs. With the influx of federal climate funding initiatives and the ever-increasing pressure of climate change on our communities, we must take steps to design and implement truly justice-centered climate programs now more than ever. Fortunately, we can learn from many existing examples across the country; at the state and local level, governments have been partnering with communities to create innovative, equity-based outcomes for years, and we must look to them when designing new climate funding programs or altering existing ones.
Joining us to present examples of such equitable climate programs are Sophie Young, Program Manager for the Transformative Climate Communities Program at California’s Strategic Growth Council, Sam Baraso, Program Manager for the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund at the City of Portland’s Bureau of Planning & Sustainability, and more. Don’t miss this important event to discuss how we can build a better and more equitable future for our climate and our communities.