Amid rising temperatures and the growing challenges of climate change, Baltimore is taking proactive steps to enhance its resilience through neighborhood-specific initiatives. The Baltimore Office of Sustainability, in collaboration with community partners, is rolling out various measures—from weather monitoring to water access and educational outreach—to help residents anticipate and adapt to the impacts of global warming.
Ava Richardson, the director of the Baltimore Office of Sustainability, stated, “Our work is broadly focused on making Baltimore more sustainable, more equitable and more resilient.” The office executes over 600 actions as part of three key plans: the Climate Action Plan, the Sustainability Plan, and the Disaster Preparedness Plan.
Through public meetings, newsletters, and pilot programs aimed at waste reduction, green spaces, and education, the office engages with thousands of residents citywide. Richardson emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability, saying, “We really think it’s important to hold ourselves accountable and be transparent to the public about where the city is making progress and where we may not be making progress.”
Collaboration with local faith institutions, such as Allen AME Church led by Pastor Brenda White, plays a crucial role in these efforts. The church, along with the nonprofit Pathway Forward, has been working with the city for two years as a resiliency hub in West Baltimore. Pastor White noted the significance of water access during extreme heat, stating, “We operate during the summer months when there is a code red, and we provide cold water and cooling space for the general public to help with their health and well-being.”
In collaboration with Johns Hopkins University, the Office of Sustainability and Allen AME Church are involved in a long-term climate research project. This initiative, which includes a weather station at the church, is part of a larger effort to monitor the effects of extreme heat and develop more effective climate solutions for Baltimore’s neighborhoods. Rev. White highlighted the uniqueness of their setup, saying, “We are one of few faith-based entities in Baltimore that have a live feed weather station.”
The project aims to address the urban heat island effect in the city’s most vulnerable areas, with Richardson emphasizing that these neighborhoods are prioritized in the office’s plans and resource allocation. “We are connecting with communities who are most impacted by climate change,” she said. “There’s also a lot we can do for the environment through the millions of daily decisions we each make, whether it’s food waste reduction or going car-free one day a week.”
Richardson stressed the centrality of environmental justice and equity in their strategies, with the Climate Action Plan’s guiding principles starting with a focus on equity. This approach includes involving marginalized communities in policy development and implementation. She cited the example of distributing free reusable bags when the bag ban was enacted to address potential challenges faced by residents.
Pastor White illustrated the broad impact of their initiatives, stating, “We have a community garden and water access for all of West Baltimore. We don’t turn anyone away.” Richardson underscored the importance of collective effort in environmental stewardship, saying, “We all contribute to it and we all benefit from it. So advocate for protecting your spaces and your environment for the betterment of yourself and your community.”
Original Story at afro.com