Core Principle: Equity

This is a focus area for everyone! We will explore:

How can we design all climate strategies and associated actions to improve the equitable distribution of the benefits and costs of the changes being made?
How can our plan result in benefits that minimize negative impacts for all community members, including those who have historically been disadvantaged?

It is anticipated that this area will develop methods of outreach and engagement to support full participation in the creation of the Climate Mobilization Action Plan.

Topics might include:

New ways to engage with the community | How climate action can also build equity and resilience
Other ways equity will be essential to Boulder’s planning and action

EQUITY

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY EQUITY?

Equity acknowledges that different people start in different places due to racist historical context and societal circumstances. Equity intends to “level the playing field” for everyone to achieve success equally.

STARTING LOCAL

Governments across the country are focusing on racial equity, which is critically important to driving larger systemic change. The City of Boulder has made equity a key priority in it’s work when developing policies, programs and services.

Local and regional governments have the ability to implement policy change at multiple levels and across multiple sectors. For our community to achieve long-term impact, changes must be sustainable for all.

Although climate change affects us all, the impacts are not shared equally. Climate change impacts compound socio-economic disadvantages born of decades of public disinvestment, government-promoted segregation, inequitable economic development and gentrification. Inequitable policies have long put communities of color and low-income communities directly in the line of impact.

• People of color are more likely to live in substandard housing that increases their exposure to health risks like poor indoor air quality.
• The geographic location of Communities of color often exposes people of color to increased environmental risks like flooding and pollution.
• People of color and other vulnerable populations face disproportionate risks of death and other impacts of extreme heat.
• Low-income communities are more likely to experience urban heat island effects, where an urban area is significantly warmer than surrounding areas.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR CLIMATE

HEAT AND INCOME – AURORA, CO

HEAT ISLAND EFFECT Source: NPR

OUR JOURNEY SO FAR

• Boulder established the Inclusiveness and Diversity Team, then partnered with CU’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement to start building a community network of partners.

2006

• Boulder refocused efforts around equity with trainings throughout the organization.
• The city supported the formation of the University of Colorado Just Transition Collaborative (JTC) and integrated into the Climate Commitment

2016

2017

• City Council added Boulder Revised Code Chapter for “Undocumented Person” and Community Perception Assessments on issues and trends around safety, equity, diversity and inclusivity.

OUR JOURNEY SO FAR

• The city initiated racial equity work throughout the organization.
• The city participated in the JTC’s “Climate Justice Leaders Program”

2018

• Hundreds of city employees will be trained on racial equity work that will be required and offered to the entire organization, boards and council.

2019

PLANNED ACTIONS

• Multiple equity trainings for city staff at all levels of the organization
• Community engagement around the draft Racial Equity Plan
- - Collaborate and build relationships with equity partners
- - Establish a community engagement plan around racial equity
• Evaluate policies, programs and projects with an equity lens

GAME CHANGERS

The City of Boulder’s work to combat the effects of the climate crisis will only be successful and realized if the solutions mobilize all people. We must be inclusive and embrace our community’s diversity and equity which will make us stronger together.

Game changing actions will build the foundation of an organization that prioritizes equity as a key building block of a strong, welcoming and just community—one that is sustainable, resilient and equitable.

The CMAP goals must go beyond closing the gap. We must establish appropriate benchmarks that lift up all populations while paying close attention to those often excluded and most impacted.

HOW CAN WE CHANGE THE GAME?

...all people in Boulder – not just those with financial means – have the ability to tap into and adopt new technologies that save energy and money on utility bills

...we ensure equity partners, people of color and underrepresented and marginalized populations play a larger role in our government activities

...the city as a whole is dedicated to advancing racial and social equity in all departments throughout our local government

...we learn new ways to engage with community members that incorporate the spectrum of culture that exists across the city

...we support neighborhood gatherings where community members can lead the conversation around equity and climate change

WHAT IF ...

Learn More About Equity

from these helpful resources, websites, and stories

Input from Just Transition Collaborative

A report from the CU Boulder JTC informed the City on the ways that the Climate Plan could specifically benefit low-income Boulder residents and other socially and economically marginalized groups. The report was developed in partnership with CU Boulder faculty, program staff, and community-based organizations, and with input generated from several community workshops. Read story and the report

Six Ways Climate Change Is Hurting Coloradans

A recent tool published by the Colorado Health Institute (CHI), a grantee of The Colorado Trust, dives deeper into the geographic disparities of climate change. CHI’s Health and Climate Index rates risk by exposure, demographics and readiness—high temperature and wildfire risk; vulnerable demographics like children, elders, people in poverty or with chronic diseases; and beliefs about global warming and public health department plans to fight or adapt to it.

Equity Resources and Info from Conservation Colorado

Conservation Colorado is committed to building a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization as part of a broader conservation movement that empowers people of color, frontline communities, and those who have historically carried the burdens of environmental injustice. Visit this page for links to more videos and resources.

Oil and Gas Drilling: Health Equity Stories from The Colorado Trust

Click Here for More Case Studies and Stories from The Colorado Trust

Providence shows other cities how environmental justice is done

So how did Providence, Rhode Island, which announced a standard, net-zero-by-2050 pledge in 2016, end up with a newly released Climate Justice Plan that looks so different from the parade of municipal “Green New Deals?” And could other cities get there, too?

Read Article in Grist | Download the City of Providence’s Climate Justice Plan

Marin County’s Peoples’ Plan

“Designing Our Own Solutions” for Resiliency Planning was recognized by the Resilient by Design Jury for their impact in community capacity building, realigning power distributions and increasing ownership by people directly impacted by design decisions. Check out the plan and videos.

Recently Submitted Comments & Suggestions

Let’s Look At: You’re (of all races, class, etc.) involved in planning – not just at the end Equity does not stand alone – equity must be integrated into every other aspect of CMAP Youth leadership Trees are people too – seriously read Hidden Life of Trees Take the presentation of input gathering to other and low-income neighborhoods in Boulder

Show Recently Submitted Comments & Suggestions

What would an equitable climate action plan look like to you?

Reconnection with natural world – look at incredible edible model
You’re (of all races, class, etc.) involved in planning – not just at the end
Planting trees
More green-cool outdoor spaces
Equity does not stand alone – equity must be integrated into every other aspect of CMAP
Forest gardens/habitat on our open spaces and right-of-ways with free food for all
Arts
Including voices from variety of cultures, economics, ages, etc. in development – undocumented folks too (I agree)
Youth leadership
Trees are people too – seriously read Hidden Life of Trees
Partner with folks indigenous to this land (X2, X2000)
Find money for those who live and work in Boulder
Foster use of public transit – to this event
People of color
eBike loans?
To get people to come help in this crisis, make them feel included and don’t talk to them, as people from a different ethnicity, talk to them as humans
Population control
Massive direct action to stop all eminent fracking in Boulder County
Think bigger radical shift in consciousness
Take the presentation of input gathering to other and low-income neighborhoods in Boulder
Children’s wisdom and insight
Neighborhood scale, planning, outreach and education
Educate women and girls – assure access to family planning
Anti-species-ism
Consider the contribution to carbon in the atmosphere caused by digging for construction
Gaia principle
Food justice
New story
Zero carbon energy for renters and low-income
Affordable housing construction minimums – low VOC still high-quality materials
More services for our neighbors without homes – city policies that uphold their dignity, a change of attitudes towards homelessness by shelter and public and policing – more truly affordable housing
Talk in ways that get people’s attention – sometimes it’s hard to think about the climate issues that may be decades away when all you can think about is dinner tonight. We need everyone in this – how do we reach everyone?