Community Conversations on Climate and Justice
Be part of the conversations on environmental challenges affecting RI’s most impacted communities—and what we can do together to build healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.
Although climate change impacts every community in Rhode Island, it especially impacts low-income communities and communities of color. This workshop series supports Rhode Island’s efforts to plan for and mitigate climate change while supporting a broad range of community needs. It offers opportunities for the State to engage directly with community members and bring underrepresented voices to the work of improving mitigation efforts and lowering emissions. These engagement opportunities aim to reinforce Rhode Island’s progress toward a more climate-resilient future.
Why Attend
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Get facts on climate change and environmental justice
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Learn how DEM works to protect our air, water, and land
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Find out how YOU can get involved and access resources
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Join the conversation on environmental justice in RI
Workshop Schedule
THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Wednesday, May 7 | 6PM
Rhode Island’s Environmental Hazards and Building Resilient Communities with DEM’s Office of Air Resources and Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
Learn what climate justice means, how climate change is impacting your area, and what we’re doing about it.
Register to Attend May 7 Workshop
ENSURING CLEAN WATER FOR ALL
Wednesday, May 21 | 6PM
Water Quality and The Effects of Climate Change with DEM’s Office of Water Resources and Central Falls Parks and Recreation
Understand how flooding, pollution, and clean water access are changing waterways—and how to help protect them.
Register to Attend May 21 Workshop
COMMUNITY AIR MONITORING
Wednesday, June 4 | 6PM
Air Quality and The Effects of Climate Change with DEM’s Office of Air Resources and Breathe Providence
Explore how climate change affects the air we breathe and what’s being done to fight pollution and protect our health.
Register to Attend June 4 Workshop
GROWING GREENER COMMUNITIES
Wednesday, June 18 | 6PM
Tree Equity and The Effects of Climate Change with DEM’s Urban Forestry Program and Groundwork RI
Learn how trees keep neighborhoods cooler, healthier, and more vibrant — and how to green your community.
Register to Attend June 18 Workshop
About this Program
This program is funded by the EPA Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) Grant Program, which provides funding for projects that benefit environmental justice communities. These grants support government activities, in partnership with community-based organizations, that aim to achieve measurable environmental and/or public health impacts. The program focuses on addressing environmental and public health risks in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms.
This EPA-funded project works with environmental justice-based community groups to examine how exposure to toxins influences the use of our shared land and water resources by community members. The program is based around the watersheds of the Upper Narragansett Bay and creates awareness around the impacts of legacy pollution in the air, water, and soil. Through targeted trainings and curricula, we will provide guidance on the location of toxins and learn how to build community resilience to the effects of stormwater and climate pollution through investments in urban trees, energy-efficient housing, and transportation. Groups involved in this project will develop environmental curricula, train leaders in their communities, and host tours exploring river access. Project outcomes will be shared through a program steering committee and community resource web portal.
Year 1 activities focus on engagement and community participation in workshops and toxic tours along four urban rivers to build shared understanding of environmental pollutants and their impact on the natural environment and people within the urban watershed focus areas. Engagement will also center on resilience and solutions related to green infrastructure, urban trees, wildlife protection, and combating pollution.
Year 2 builds on this with community identification of public access points along these waterways and development of a story trail that connects community, history, and environmental awareness. Year 2 will also set the foundation for collaboration with community stakeholders in bringing forward expertise and insight critical to developing a model of informed policy decision-making by RIDEM.
Year 3 will culminate in a sustainable model of community ownership by this cohort of EJ stakeholders to provide expertise on implementation of the State’s Act on Climate, which requires the development and publication of a series of plans that outline how Rhode Island will meet the mandates for the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases. This funding will support increased community collaboration with RIDEM to bridge the divide between community and government