‹ Back

_{Addressing climate change requires more than just mitigation measures or adaptation strategies.
It demands active community participation.}

 

 

 

 

Why?

 

Because community knowledge and lived experience are invaluable in identifying practical, effective, and inclusive strategies for equitable climate action. Community members know what solutions are needed, and more importantly, what hasn’t or won’t work.

 

Over my career, I’ve seen this transformative power of community collaboration firsthand, and it's remarkable how diverse perspectives lead to effective solutions.

 

For example, in my local community of Bridgeland, we have some very dedicated community volunteers who banded together to improve the pedestrian experience. They created pilot projects along the main street long before the municipality had funding to improve it themselves.

 

Today, their pilot projects are still there – years later – because they were the best solutions. Did everyone agree at the beginning that narrowing intersections was a good idea – absolutely not.

 

But it was tried, and it works.

 

Strength is found in our diversity, and community engagement brings out this strength through empowerment and active participation, highlighting insights that may otherwise go overlooked.

 

It's critical that all climate strategies serve those in the community, ensuring broad-based benefits.

 

If we are to tackle climate change successfully, we need to play our part in coming together with open ears and an open heart to help shape a community where our diversity isn't just welcomed but is recognized as our core strength.

 

Because when we unite, our collective voice becomes a formidable force for action.