“Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation”“
Compton, CA. April 20th, 2019—On Tuesday, April 30th at 9:30 am PT on the steps of the Compton City Hall at 205 S Willowbrook Ave, Compton, CA 90220, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will release the Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit and launch the OCOP Pilot site in Compton, California.  The toolkit and initiative equip communities with the information needed to implement projects related to building resilience to the impacts of climate change with modules includingEstablishing Local Food Systems, Becoming Certified in Equitable Emergency Management systems, Improving Stormwater Infrastructure, Restorative Justice, Healing Justice, and more!
“Since establishing our NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program Department ten years ago, we have made significant strides in supporting the just societal vision of our grassroots movements,” said Katherine T. Egland, Chair, National Board of Directors Environmental and Climate Justice Committee. “Our communities must transition from a situation where we are on the losing end of too many socio-economic equations because of systemic inequities. Climate change impacts are already deepening the marginalization that our communities face, and more is on the horizon. This is why this suite of tools for transformation is urgently needed. The Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation Action Toolkit will build upon the legacy of our frontline units and embolden their work on the ground towards transformational change by providing an informational foundation.”
“The Our Community, Our Power Toolkit and Initiative aim to support communities in honing a collective vision for a cooperative, independent, society that embodies deep democracy in a way that uplifts earth rights and human rights,” said Jacqui Patterson, Senior Director, NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. “Rooted in the principles and practices of a solidarity economy, the tools and models in the toolkit uplift methods for community-driven processes that ensure that adaptation to climate change happens on the people’s terms. We are thrilled to work with the NAACP Compton Branch as the first project site to implement the practices within the toolkit and spearhead this national initiative, as it builds on their existing leadership and centers the branch as a hub for vision, imagination, innovation, and community organizing.”
“Compton is known for so many things that don’t express the fullness of the potential of our community,” said Paulette Gipson, President, Compton California Branch of the NAACP. “We are honored and excited to be the inaugural project site for the NAACP Our Communities, Our Power Climate Resistance and Resilience Initiative as we look forward to having the NAACP Compton link arms with our partners and the people of Compton to develop and execute a plan to address the challenges and build on the rich assets of our city.”
The Our Communities, Our Power: Advancing Resistance and Resilience in Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit can be downloaded from the NAACP website by clicking HERE.