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 ...