Climate Equity
Our Committment
The Ashland Climate Collaborative is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all board members, staff, volunteers, and community members we work with feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.
Equity and climate are interwoven
Equity and climate change are inextricably linked. Lower-income individuals are the least responsible for climate change, and yet they are disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change.
Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities in access to resources, exposing them to higher levels of wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and water insecurity. Moreover, limited economic means and social support systems make it harder for them to recover from climate-related disasters when they occur.
HEATWAVES
Heat waves are becoming more intense and frequent, posing a significant health risk to vulnerable populations who may lack access to cooling facilities or have pre-existing health conditions.
DROUGHT
Drought conditions caused by climate change can lead to limited water availability, disproportionately impacting low-income communities and those reliant on agriculture.
WILDFIRE SMOKE
Wildfire smoke from increasingly frequent and severe wildfires significantly impacts air quality, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities due to their often closer proximity to wildfire areas and higher rates of respiratory illnesses.
HEALTH IMPACTS
Climate change-related health impacts like heat stress, respiratory issues from smoke exposure, and mental health concerns can be exacerbated in marginalized communities due to existing health inequalities.
SOCIOECONOMIC DISPARITIES
Socioeconomic disparities can limit the ability of marginalized communities to prepare for and recover from climate-related disasters, such as evacuations or housing repairs.
Our Approach
ACC supports and advocates for financial assistance and other community programs specifically tailored to the diverse needs of our most vulnerable communities. This means identifying communities disproportionately affected by climate change and developing programs that specifically address their needs, and ensuring that affected communities have a voice in decision-making and can advocate for their priorities.
As examples, ACC has recently received funding for The Ashland Climate Resilience & Equity Initiative, to conduct a needs assessment and outreach to low-income, elderly, and disadvantaged communities in Ashland to help them improve energy efficiency and protection from local climate changes in the form We provide training and resources to communities on climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, and how to participate in policy processes.