Centering Joy and Justice: Violet Saena’s Vision for Climate Resilience

In January 2024, Stanford University hosted the Voices of Impact: Joyful and Collaborative Approaches to Sustainable Communities panel, featuring four environmental justice leaders, including Violet Wulf-Saena, founder and executive director of Climate Resilient Communities (CRC). This event, part of the Haas Distinguished Visitor Lecture series, spotlighted community-rooted strategies for climate resilience .

From the South Pacific to the Bay Area: A Journey Rooted in Resilience

Violet's dedication to environmental justice is deeply influenced by her upbringing in Samoa, where she witnessed firsthand the impacts of climate extremes like flooding, hurricanes, and drought. Her early experiences propelled her into international climate work, including serving as Samoa’s first climate change officer and collaborating with the United Nations on initiatives for Least Developed Countries and Small Island States .

After relocating to the Bay Area, Violet founded CRC in 2020 to support under-resourced communities of color facing the frontline impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. CRC's mission is to elevate community leadership and response to environmental justice, partnering with governments, research institutions, and community-based organizations to build capacity for climate adaptation.

Joy as a Catalyst for Community Engagement

At the Stanford panel, Violet emphasized the importance of joy in climate work. She articulated that joy is not a distraction from climate justice but a catalyst for it. By integrating cultural traditions, storytelling, and community celebrations into CRC's initiatives, Violet fosters spaces where climate awareness is built through fellowship and shared experiences.

This approach is particularly impactful in communities like East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Belle Haven—areas historically burdened by environmental injustices. CRC's events, such as intergenerational storytelling circles and culturally infused block parties, affirm that communities of color are not just victims of climate change but agents of joyful transformation.

Collaborative Leadership and Institutional Partnerships

CRC's model is anchored in the establishment of Climate Change Community Teams (CCCTs)—resident-led groups that co-design adaptation strategies based on local knowledge and experiences. These teams serve as a bridge between community needs and institutional decision-making, ensuring that policies are informed by those most affected.

Violet's leadership extends beyond CRC. She serves as the equity program manager for the Bay Area Climate Adaptation Network (BayCAN), an environmental justice advisor for the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and a community advisory council member to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) .

A Call to Center Community Voices

The Voices of Impact panel underscored the necessity of centering community voices in climate resilience efforts. Violet's work exemplifies how grassroots leadership, cultural wisdom, and collaborative partnerships can drive transformative change. As she poignantly stated, "Our resilience is not just about surviving. It’s about thriving together."