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NAACP launches climate change initiative for America’s inner cities

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This week in Compton, the NAACP released its “Our  Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation” toolkit as part of a pilot program to bring awareness of climate change in the inner city.

The toolkit and initiative are designed to equip communities with the information needed to implement projects related to building resilience to the impacts of climate change with modules including the establishment of local food systems, becoming certified in Equitable Emergency Mangement systems, improving stormwater infrastructure, restorative justice, healing justice and other initiatives aimed at confronting climate change.

“Since establishing our NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program Department ten years ago, we have made significant strides in supporting the just societal vision of our grassroots movements,” said Katherine T. Egland, chair, of the National board of directors of the Environmental and Climate Justice Committee. “Our communities must transition from a situation where we are on the losing end of too many socio-economic equations because of systemic inequities.

“Climate change impacts are already deepening the marginalization that our communities face, and more is on the horizon. This is why this suite of tools for transformation is urgently needed. The ’Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation Action’ toolkit will build upon the legacy of our frontline units and embolden their work on the ground towards transformational change by providing an informational foundation.”

According to Jacqui Patterson, senior director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program, the toolkit can help support communities in honoring a collective vision for a cooperative, independent, society that embodies deep democracy in a way that uplifts earth rights and human rights.

“Rooted in the principles and practices of a solidarity economy, the tools and models in the toolkit uplift methods for community-driven processes that ensure that adaptation to climate change happens on the people’s terms,” Patterson said. “We are thrilled to work with the NAACP Compton Branch as the first project site to implement the practices within the toolkit and spearhead this national initiative, as it builds on their existing leadership and centers the branch as a hub for vision, imagination, innovation, and community organizing.”

“Compton is known for so many things that don’t express the fullness of the potential of our community,” said Paulette Gipson, president, Compton California Branch of the NAACP. “We are honored and excited to be the inaugural project site for the NAACP ‘Our Communities, Our Power Climate Resistance and Resilience’ initiative as we look forward to having the NAACP Compton link arms with our partners and the people of Compton to develop and execute a plan to address the challenges and build on the rich assets of our city.”

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