BEACON--Hudson Sloop Clearwater has launched its "Advancing Climate Justice in Four Hudson Valley Cities" initiative in Beacon, Kingston, Peekskill, and Poughkeepsie, NY. Funded by a U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Small Grant, it will assist community members from each city to develop two projects to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, according to a release. The goal of these projects is to prevent the disproportionate impacts of climate change on communities of color, ethnicity, or low-income.

Clearwater kicked off this initiative May 21st with an intermunicipal workshop on climate justice called "Finding Opportunity in the Climate Crisis." This well-attended and enthusiastic workshop brought together municipal leaders, community members, youth, and environmental/conservation committee members. Participants learned about environmental justice, how climate change will affect the Hudson Valley, and what current initiatives are taking place. After the speakers presented, the group split into breakout sessions to brainstorm on topics such as energy, food and water, transportation, disaster prevention, response and recovery, and economic opportunities/green jobs. At the end of the day, participants left with knowledge, ideas, and tools to bring back to their own cities.



Efforts for this initiative will now take place in each city. To get involved in the planning process, interested participants and groups should contact the city coordinator and attend the meeting of their choice. See below for contact information and dates:

Beacon - Karla Raimundí, karla@clearwater.org, 845-265-8080 x7159

July 14th - Clearwater Office at 6:00 pm

Kingston - Victor Pierre Melendez, victor@clearwater.org, 845-265-8080 x7159

July 6th - Kingston Library at 6:00 pm

Peekskill - Karla Raimundí, karla@clearwater.org, 845-265-8080 x7159

July 12th - Clearwater Office at 6:00 pm

Poughkeepsie - Ryan Palmer, ryan@clearwater.org,

845-265-8080 x7114



July 7th - Mid-Hudson Heritage Center at 6:00 pm

Visit Clearwater for more information about this initiative. Also visit NYSERDA's Low Income Programs for project ideas.

Source: Mid-Hudson Energy $mart Communities