Local nonprofit organizations such as Climate Resilient Communities, Nuestra Casa, Rise South City, and Thrive, The Alliance of Nonprofits for San Mateo County, will host the second annual Climate Summit for San Mateo County.
The event, which will take place on October 11, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the South San Francisco Conference Center, has as its main theme “Building Power for Community Resilience ?, a call to change decision-making on climate adaptation projects and investments in the communities most affected by climate risks.
“We are of the community, with the community and for the community. “We have seen the negative impacts of climate change on low-income communities and on the front lines of extreme heat, atmospheric rivers and poor air quality,” Julio García, executive director of Rise South City, said in a statement.
“We would like to see San Mateo County government and cities partner with local community organizations to create adaptation solutions with frontline communities,” he added.
The winter storms of 2022-23, which caused severe flooding, mudslides, wind damage, and prolonged power outages across the county, and which had an especially pronounced impact on low-income and undocumented residents who struggled to Accessing recovery resources in the aftermath highlights the importance of centering community voices in county and city initiatives to build climate resilience.
“Residents near San Francisquito Creek bore the brunt of the devastating floods of 2023. Many community members were left struggling both physically and economically and faced power outages that lasted for days and food losses that lasted for days. they couldn't afford it,” said Miriam Yupanqui, Executive Director of Nuestra Casa.
“Our residents demand support to build resilience and be prepared for the coming storms, especially during this El Niño year,” Yupanqui explained.
More than 300 people are expected to attend the summit, including: representatives from community-based organizations, city and county government, elected officials, business leaders, the philanthropic community, youth leaders and community members.
Violet Wulf-Saena, CEO of Climate Resilient Communities, hopes this summit demonstrates the empowering process of community coming together to discuss climate change and resilience strategies.
“I want young people to feel recognized and heard in their approach to climate action and for cross-sector support to amplify their voices in developing a climate resilient future for all who live, work and play in San Mateo County ?, he stressed.
Congressman Kevin Mullin (via video), Gregg Castro of the Ramaytush Ohlone Association, and spoken word artist Jacob Virges will open the event, followed by a total of three plenary sessions and two rounds of breakout sessions, all which will have local leaders and experts in the field.
The Frontline Communities panel, moderated by Petra Silton, Senior Director of Programs at Thrive Alliance, will share how the summit co-hosts are helping to build power for community resilience in San Mateo County.
The panel of indigenous, religious and farmworker communities, moderated by Violet Wulf-Saena, executive director of Climate Resilient Communities, will offer cultural and religious perspectives on climate impacts and resilience.
Morning breakout sessions include a panel on Community Resilience Financing, featuring County Supervisor Noelia Corzo and state and regional leaders; a facilitated discussion activity on Strategic Collaboration and Resource Mapping for Resilience; and a panel and group discussion on Community Research Partnerships and Data.
Afternoon breakout sessions include a panel on nature-based solutions for climate resilience, moderated by County Supervisor Dave Pine; a global cafe on youth voice in the local climate movement, with student leaders from local high schools; and a panel on networks of resilience centers: Building Connections for Community Risk Reduction, which will feature a panel and an activity.
The event will conclude with remarks from State Senator Josh Becker and a call for commitments to help build power for community resilience in San Mateo County.
For more information, interested parties can visit the site https://www.thrivealliance.org/climate-summit-2023.
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