Toolkit: Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care
How can we center the inherent worth and dignity of every person in climate disasters?
We can use our gifts to offer love, to work for justice, to heal injury, to create pleasure for ourselves and others. We can recognize our mutual independence with all life. We can take actions that are grounded in justice, guided by wisdom, and sustained with hope. We can learn, act, and reflect to cultivate the beloved community.
Every community is different, and climate impacts will vary at the hyper-local level. Some neighborhoods may be devastated by a hurricane while others experience only minor impacts. Adequate preparation and response for climate disasters must center the lived experiences and impacts of climate disasters on those most at risk.
The UUA Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team put together this toolbox to help individuals and congregations to:
Assess Climate Impacts
Identify the climate risks impacting your neighborhoods and community.
Consider who will be most impacted by a climate disaster, how they will be impacted and what areas of your community are at greatest risk.
Assess the needs of your community, resources available, existing leadership, and opportunities for joy and hope.
Mobilize for Action
Build intentional and lasting relationships with frontline organizations and other community leaders.
Set realistic short- and long-term goals grounded in understanding of the issues and relationships with community organizations guided by visions of a flourishing community for all.
Adopt strategic plans to build community resilience as you prepare for and respond to climate disasters.
Just as the impacts of climate change differ for each community, the solutions will be equally unique. Solutions should be informed by the needs of those most impacted by potential or actual climate disasters. We’ve included some actions to consider, and we invite you to co-create this list with us.
