Building capacity for climate change preparedness in Black communities

BY PAUL JUNOR

The launch of the three-year project entitled “Building Capacity for Climate Change Preparedness in Black Communities in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA)” is intended to provide valuable information to its Black residents. By fostering climate change preparedness in these communities, there is hope that they will be better informed and aware of climate change impacts. This three-year project started in 2024 and is expected to conclude by June 1^st, 2026. It is funded by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Partnership Development Grant.

The principal investigator on this project is Dr. Ingrid Waldron. According to the website https://experts.mcmaster.ca, she is Professor and HOPE Chair in Peace & Health in the Global Peace and Social Justice Program in the Faculty of Humanities at McMaster University. As a professor, she teaches a variety of courses that focus on: Peace, Environment and Health, Social Justice Perspectives on Gender and Health, and the Social and Structural Determinants of Health. She authored the book “There’s Something in the Water,” which examined the correlation between pollution and contamination in racialized communities located in Nova Scotia and the rest of Canada. The book has been adapted into a Netflix documentary which was directed by actor Elliot Page.

Objectives of the study

• To assess the level of awareness and knowledge that Black communities in the GTHA have around the social, economic, and health/mental health impacts of climate change and climate change preparedness.
• To determine the nature of the resources and expertise these communities have access to that prepare them for these impacts.
• To develop their leadership skills and a network of experts that can help them develop a climate change preparedness plan that would build community resilience and forge connections between Black communities, academics/researchers, and climate and environmental organizations.
• To provide Black communities in the GTHA with the knowledge and skills to participate in climate change policymaking.
• To develop diverse knowledge mobilization resources that will share and amplify the stories and experiences of Black communities around climate change preparedness to diverse audiences.

Participating organizations

• The Environmental Noxiousness, Racial Inequities, and Community Health Project (The ENRICH Project)
• The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU)
• Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)

These partner organizations were put together by Dr. Ingrid Walton because of the established relationships she has built with these organizations through her work on environmental and climate justice, and because they have a shared goal of addressing climate and environmental injustices in BIPOC communities.

Community workshops

Workshops were conducted at community-based organizations in the GTHA areas, including:

• City of Toronto (West – Jane/Finch, 29.1% Black)
• City of Toronto (East – Scarborough, 10% Black)
• City of Toronto (Central – Eglinton West, 11% Black)
• Peel (Brampton, 13.9% Black)
• Peel (Mississauga, 6.6% Black)
• Hamilton (3.8% Black)

Goals for participants

• Help build the capacity of the community to understand the nature and extent of climate change impacts through transfer, outreach, and education.
• Empower the community and its residents to take action and reduce impacts through adaptive management.

Workshop highlights

On Saturday May 18^th, 2024, a workshop was held at Roots Community Services in downtown Brampton. There were over twenty participants in attendance, ranging from high school students to adults. The facilitator introduced the nature of the project and provided valuable background information about climate change and its impact on the environment. Several questions were posed to prompt discussion, including:

• What climate impacts do you see in your community? Are they changing over time?
• How do you feel about the future implications?
• How have you personally experienced climate change? Can you describe the experience and its impact on you and your family?

Information was shared about a “Community Energy and Emissions Reduction Plan” that was launched in 2019. The effects of air pollution concerning rising asthma and chronic lung disease in: Brampton, Malton, and Rexdale residents were highlighted. There were discussions about the approval of a massive new waste harnessing facility in Brampton. The topic of climate justice was introduced, as well as the roles of structural, socioeconomic, and intergenerational inequalities.

I spoke with Dr. Zobia Jawed about her involvement in the project. She shared additional details with me. Dr. Jawed is passionate about the goals of this project, and as a Senior Research Fellow in the Global Peace and Social Justice Program, her insights into the intricate connections of climate challenges and infrastructure limitations in these underrepresented communities will be informative. Dr. Jawed stated, “This project is a crucial step towards empowering Black communities to face climate change impacts. By fostering awareness and building resilience, we can ensure that these communities are better prepared for the future.”

There is no doubt that the findings from this important study will be helpful to these communities in the GTHA. It will present information that can initiate conversations, dialogues, and discussions in other racialized communities across Canada.