In the face of climate change, how resilient are our communities in terms of food, housing, transportation, energy, water, jobs and health? What issues do people feel are most urgent and what are the organizing opportunities on the local level that can move us towards a clean energy economy in NC?
These are some of the questions that NCLCV’s field team has been investigating this spring through a participatory action research project in our four regions: Wake County, Mecklenburg County, the Triad and Cumberland County. Statewide, the field team conducted over 1,000 community surveys, 12 focus groups, and 25 in-depth interviews with community leaders.
Our Raleigh-based NCLCV field team presented the initial findings for Wake County at the Finding Our Frontlines Community Forum at Chavis Heights Community Center on April 28th
The research process enabled people to rate the resilience – the relative strengths and vulnerabilities–of their communities based on these criteria for each issue area: equity, sustainability, ownership and quality. Of the 504 survey respondents in Wake County, 48% rated jobs as the top resilience issue. Housing (47%), transportation (37%), food and environmental health (10%) were also identified as issues that respondents feel are a struggle for the majority of community members.
The 35 participants at the Forum represented a diverse range of perspectives and professions, including a bus driver, an urban farmer and a women’s rights advocate. People discussed the findings in small groups during which they explored a range of possible campaigns to expand public transportation, create more renewable energy jobs, and address food deserts in Raleigh.
Also, the intersections between the issues were highlighted; for example, if more people can live near where they work, problems with housing, transportation, jobs and health could all be addressed. Overall, participants expressed appreciation for having been a part of the research process and being able to hear the results.
Perhaps the greatest outcome of the Forum was the opportunity to develop new relationships across differences of race, age, language, and geography. We left the event feeling new and renewed community connection and eagerness to take collective action.
Jodi Lasseter is NCLCV’s Field Regional Director based in our Raleigh office. To connect with Jodi about the work being done in Wake County or to talk more about climate justice, please give her a ring at 919.839.0006 x120 or at jodi@nclcv.org.
