Adult Education and Climate Action Plans - Coming Together for Community
This post is focused on California
but can apply to all states
with a little research on resources!
Nothing For Us Without Us
Climate Actions Plans are created by cities and counties to prepare for and respond to Climate Change. By design, they must include planning for vulnerable populations.
Planning includes opportunities for stakeholder involvement - but oftentimes folks do not know about these opportunities and/or do not have the time or means to learn more or get involved.
As noted in the previous blog post, Adult Learners are especially vulnerable to Climate Change.
Adult Learners include both long-time and new residents of California and provide a snapshot of both current and future demographics.
California's Population - Public Policy Institute of California
https://calpro-online.org/documents/CALPRO-EvidAction-Brief-508.pdf
Note: Latinos are the largest ethnic group in both California and California Adult Learners. They are a group hard hit by Climate Change and ready to take action.
Why Latino communities are on the front lines of climate change : NPR:
Latinos in the U.S. are more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to experience
heat waves, powerful hurricanes, sea level rise and floods, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA estimates that Hispanic and Latino people are more than 40%
more likely to live in places where it will frequently be too hot to work a
full day outside.
A 2017 survey found that Latinos are more engaged with the topic of climate change, and more concerned about its effects, than other racial and ethnic groups in the U.S.
Adult Learners are not only stakeholders in the future, but providers of information, outreach, accessibility, and efficacy - where Climate and so much else is concerned.
To be effective, Climate Action Plans must include Adult Education Learners and Providers as participants in their creation.
Information to Support Connections
Partnership and Participation Opportunities
Large or Small
County or city
Regional Consortium, school, program, or student leadership group
County Focus
Many counties have CAPs - Climate Action Plans
or ECAPs - Equity Climate Action Plans
Adult Ed is administered regionally - often along county lines
Good for Everyone
Inclusion of Adult Ed in Climate Action Planning means
Better plans for everyone
more accurate, more effective, more inclusive, more equitable
And more visibility for Adult Education
with more possibilities for Adult Ed to partner in
Green Job pathways
Environmental Education
Civic and Community engagement
Language, cultural, and other types of accessibility - Adult Ed both a call for and a source of
DEI - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Civics, Immigrant Integration, and Student Leadership in action
Case Study for Connection: Monterey County
Monterey County includes both coastal and interior California, lots of agriculture, many households without English speakers, many outdoor workers, lots of risk for sea level rise, and increasing extreme heat.
Snapshot of Climate Change vulnerabilities and health risks for Monterey County
Monterey County is served by two Adult Education Regional Consortia
Relevant Climate Action Plans
FAQs / Preguntas Frecuentes | Visión Salinas 2040 - Salinas Climate Action Plan - available in both English & Spanish!
Note: Both the Monterey Climate Action Plan and the Salinas Climate Action Plan are looking for community involvement, stakeholders, participants in meetings and workshops. Their websites provide information on how to get involved, meeting schedules, and “Contact Me” buttons for questions.
Action Steps Needed
Adult Education is often the hidden treasure chest in a community.
Adult Learners know about but City & County Leaders may not.
Adult Education providers may not receive notifications of Climate Action Planning or invitations to be part of.
Climate Action Planners should seek out local Adult Ed Regional Consortia and visa-versa.
