Workshops
Community advisory members from across California identified these topics and learning outcomes. Community stewards in Santa Ana, California, are piloting the workshop series now.
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Climate Crisis 101
Why is California (and the world) experiencing more climate-related extreme weather events? What are the underlying causes of the climate crisis? Who is most impacted and how can we prepare for and respond to climate-related disasters in ways that address root causes? What are the specific impacts our community is facing now and will face in the next 5-10 years? What is our vision of a climate resilient community?
Outcome: Community statement about the climate crisis, how it affects our community, and what our vision is for a climate-resilient community
Principles & Practices of Mutual Aid
What is our natural human response to disasters? How can we tap into core human practices of showing up for one another and supporting our neighbors, elders, young ones, undocumented residents, renters, differently abled folks, to develop community-driven disaster-preparedness and response efforts that put us into supportive relationships with others? How do top-down disaster response tactics undermine our natural networks of support? What does an ecosystem approach look like and how can we cultivate interdependence in our own neighborhoods? What community values do we want to guide our disaster preparedness and response so that everyone is included?
Outcome: A set of principles & practices to guide our community’s approach to community-driven climate disaster preparedness and response
Preparedness through Community Resilience Strategies
How can we build climate resilience before a climate disaster strikes? What climate resilience strategies are communities similar to ours using? How can we ensure our neighbors are prepared for a disaster when it strikes? What are the best practices around storing food, water, and other essentials? How can we best protect our homes, schools, and workplaces from fire, flood, and drought? What climate resilience solutions could we collaboratively implement in ways that are culturally relevant and promote shared well-being?
Outcome: alignment on a set of climate resilience priorities/solutions most relevant to and actionable by our community to be prepared for climate emergencies
Key Skills for Disaster Response + Connecting to FEMA CERT
What are the immediate skills community members need to support neighbors and survive when disaster strikes? How can we help save lives before disaster response professionals arrive? What wellness practices can we use to stay calm and take care of the emotional well-being of ourselves and our neighbors? Why is it important for us to have designated community members also attend the FEMA CERT certification and serve as our representatives for government-led disaster response?
Outcomes: Increased skill in immediate disaster response, practices for emotional wellbeing, and a list of FEMA CERT certification volunteer participants
Principles of Just Recovery After a Climate Disaster
What are our expectations of government institutions and large businesses to support the long-term recovery of our community? What does ‘Just Recovery’ look like? How can we ensure that funds and resources for recovery are distributed equitably? How can we establish community hubs that are collectively governed and support equitable distribution of resources and funds? What steps can we take to ensure renters and low-income community-members, small businesses-owners are able to return after being displaced by a disaster?
Outcome: A set of Just Recovery priorities/solutions relevant to and actionable by our community that will support fair, long-term recovery from climate disasters
Community Asset Mapping
What resources are needed before, during, and after a climate crisis? What resources, strengths, and assets does our community already possess that we can activate before, during, and after disaster strikes? How can we document our community assets and activate the gifts and strengths of different community groups, schools, food banks, libraries, shelters, etc?
Outcome: Template, practices, and next steps for completing the community asset map
Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Planning Part 1
How can we collaboratively develop neighborhood disaster preparedness plans based on our community strengths and assets? What actions can be taken in the near, mid, and long term to build our vision of a climate resilient community?
Outcome: Alignment on a prioritized list of key actions along phases defined by participants
Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness Planning Part 2
What do the actions we have laid out look like in practice (in alignment with our community values?) How can we make sure that no one is left out of our disaster preparedness plan? What are the detailed, concrete plans of action needed for specific disasters in specific community geographies?
Outcome: Development of detailed plans of action
Reflection & Preparation for Action
What are we taking away from the workshop series individually and collectively? What lessons, insights, practices, and solutions feel most inspiring and alive for us? What is needed now? How can we work together to put our plans into action in a timely way in thoughtful cooperation with one another?
Outcome: Evaluation of the workshop series and immediate next steps for the coalition