The Live Well Springfield Climate Justice Initiative will address climate change and health equity policy issues in Springfield with funding from the Kresge Foundation over the next three years. The Coalition is excited to continue the climate justice work started by grassroots advocacy groups and community residents around the creation of the Strong, Healthy, and Just: Climate Action Resilience Plan (CARP). 

In 2019 the Coalition was awarded a one-year planning grant by Kresge to identify one to two policy ideas that could significantly impact greenhouse gas emissions, health, equity, and racism.  The coalition partners, Live Well Springfield, Arise for Social Justice, Way Finders, Neighbor to Neighbor,  Public Health Institute of Western Mass, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, worked closely with stakeholders, Resident Advocates, and residents to narrow down to two policies out of 156 in the CARP. The partners created a variety of community engagement projects like community conversation, surveys, and workshops to gain community input and feedback.

The Coalition is excited for this next chapter to address the systemic issues of climate change.  To show appreciation for the community engagement, they created a thank you response video to Springfield residents and climate justice allies who help the Coalition narrow down to two policies. And going forward, they will be advocating for community choice energy and a race and health equity impact assessment requirement. 

Learn more about Live Well Springfield Climate Justice Initiative.