Learn about the significance of community science and how it can help communities address climate impacts. Hear personal stories of individuals supporting their communities after the 2004 tsunami. Discover the important role of trees and indigenous knowledge in tackling climate change. Explore community advocacy projects and the importance of building authentic relationships between scientists and community advocates.
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Quick takeaways
Communities need to understand their vulnerabilities to climate impacts and take proactive measures to build resilience.
Community science allows collaboration between community leaders and scientists to address local challenges, promoting access to scientific knowledge and empowering communities to find solutions.
Deep dives
Building Local Resilience to Climate Impacts
Communities must proactively prepare for climate impacts by understanding their vulnerabilities and taking action to build resilience. For example, a rural community in the United States is focusing on understanding their well system and potential water scarcity due to climate change. This example highlights the importance of local knowledge and expertise in addressing climate impacts.
The Power of Community Science
Community science, different from citizen science, involves collaboration between community leaders and scientists to address local challenges related to climate change, natural hazards, natural resources, pollution, and more. Thriving Earth Exchange is an organization that connects communities with scientists, enabling them to work together on projects that prioritize community priorities and develop localized solutions. Community science fosters access to scientific knowledge and empowers communities to be actively engaged in finding solutions to their specific challenges.
Addressing Environmental Health Disparities
The story of the Seventh Ward in New Orleans illustrates how community science can address environmental health disparities. This community, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina, faces extreme heat and a lack of trees. Through community science, they are reforesting the area, measuring surface temperatures, and monitoring the social impacts of urban heat. This project not only reduces urban heat but also promotes community engagement, enhances stormwater management, and improves social well-being.
The Value of Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives
Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, known as indigeneuity, offer valuable insights in addressing climate change and environmental challenges. Indigeneuity involves applying indigenous wisdom to contemporary problems, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life and avoiding human-centered approaches. Indigenous knowledge systems can complement modern science and provide diverse solutions tailored to specific local contexts. Embracing indigeneuity can help us approach climate change through a new lens, acknowledging the importance of different solutions in different places.
The climate crisis can feel distant — like it’s someone else’s problem — until your town is flooded, your home is damaged by storms, or you're struggling to pay electricity bills as the summers get hotter. Figuring out the specifics of how a region is vulnerable to climate impacts can be the difference between adaptation or disaster, especially for communities that don’t have a lot of climate or environmental expertise among their members.
Community science — defined as communities and scientists working together to address climate and environmental threats — can protect local communities before disaster strikes.
Daniel Wildcat, Professor, Haskell Indian Nations University; Rising Voices Steering Committee
Angela M. Chalk, Executive Director, Healthy Community Services
For show notes and related links, visit our website.
This episode was produced in collaboration with the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and features a segment from Contributing Producer Graycen Wheeler.