Building Equity into Climate Resilience Strategies

REGISTER (FREE)

Registration closes on Wednesday, April 19 at 5 PM. All registrants will also receive a link to view the webinar recording.

Webinar Overview

Local governments in Washington are working to build resilience to more frequent occurrences of extreme precipitation, extreme heat, drought, wildfires, and flooding. Changes in climate affect everyone, and the impacts are not distributed equally. Those who are at highest risk include communities with lower wealth and incomes, tribes, and people whose livelihoods depend on fisheries, agriculture and other natural resource sectors. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to respond and recover from climate impacts should begin with conversations and partnerships with frontline communities that experience the first and worst consequences of climate change.

This webinar will demonstrate how to understand and address the needs of those who are most vulnerable to climate impacts in local climate plans and programs. Participants will learn about the development of Washington State’s model element to help cities and counties address climate change in their comprehensive plans. The presentations will highlight examples of partnerships that strengthen the effectiveness of climate programs and policies.

Educational Objectives

In this webinar, you will learn about:

• Washington State’s model element to help cities and counties address climate change in their comprehensive plans.
• Key climate measures that enhance local government’s ability to address the needs and concerns of frontline communities.
• Important outreach strategies that connect climate policy to current, real life concerns of vulnerable communities.
• Specific examples of climate programs and policies that foster partnerships and advance equity.

Who Should Attend?

• Policymakers and staff interested in learning more about climate action at the local level.

Presenters

• Sarah Fox, Climate Program Manager, Washington State Department of Commerce.
• Sierra Suafoa-McClain (they/them, she/her), Program Engagement Lead, Front and Centered.
• Pamela Braff, Climate Program Manager, City of Olympia.
• Tracy Burrows, Executive Director, MRSC (Moderator). 

Credits

This training is eligible for:

• 1.5 hours CM credits from the American Planning Association (Pending Approval).
• Credit toward a Certificate of Municipal Leadership (CML) for elected officials through the Association of Washington Cities in the (C) Community Planning and Development competency area.