Meaningful change requires vision, strategy, and a deep understanding of the people who will be most affected. I have spent the past two years working on the Green New Deal for Birmingham (GND4BHM) campaign for the development of a people-driven justice-first Climate Action Framework to present to the City of Birmingham. I’ve learned that the most effective solutions come from engaging communities directly and putting their concerns at the heart of the work. The development of a Climate Action Framework has been guided by three key values: community engagement, learning, and care.
Alabama faces significant environmental challenges, ranking 45th in the nation for progress on sustainable development according to the United States Sustainable Development Report 2021. The state is plagued by poor air quality and heavily polluted industrial sites, and Birmingham is no exception. In neighborhoods near the 35th Avenue Superfund Site—home to coke, steel, and cement plants—residents endure health issues such as asthma, cancer, and other health issues known to be linked to air pollution. Despite being directly impacted, the people living in these communities have often been overlooked when it comes to decision-making processes that shape their environment and well-being.
In response, the GND4BHM campaign made community engagement a top priority. We hosted six “Community Climate Assemblies,” which were town-hall-style events where residents could share their concerns on a wide range of topics, including air and water quality, public transportation, sustainable development, responsible energy, equitable investments, and government transparency. By listening to their experiences, we were able to identify five key issues that will shape our Climate Action Framework: public transportation, flooding and infrastructure, pedestrian accessibility, government transparency, and heat island effect. These issues emerged directly from the community, underscoring why it’s essential to amplify local voices in climate action.
A key lesson from this process is that effective climate action must be grounded in learning from the community. During our assemblies, we discovered that the environmental challenges in Birmingham are deeply interconnected with social justice, public health, and economic opportunity. By listening closely, we uncovered solutions that were both community-driven and practical. Residents didn’t just talk about the need for cleaner air; they emphasized the importance of sustainable transit, pedestrian-friendly streets, and accessible green spaces.
At its core, climate action is about care. Care for people, the environment, and future generations. The Climate Action Framework is built on the belief that climate solutions must be rooted in justice, which means centering the needs and voices of those most affected by pollution and climate change. Throughout this process, we focused on making our events accessible, inclusive, and reflective of the community’s needs. The care we invested in listening, learning, and responding is what sets this campaign apart. It’s not just about creating policies; It’s about fostering community ownership. The people of Birmingham are not simply stakeholders—they are experts—and the solutions must come from them.
Through this work, I’ve learned the importance of centering the community at every step of the process. Effective climate action isn’t about experts crafting solutions from the top down; it’s about engaging and learning from those who are directly impacted. By embracing the values of community engagement, learning, and care, we can create solutions that are not only effective but also equitable and just. When
we listen to the community, we build a stronger, more sustainable future for all.
