USC PRICE CRC SPOTLIGHT: Preparing Our Communities -- A Frontline Conversation on Climate Justice in the Bay

Kai Erlenbusch
Dec 1, 2023
2 min read

As climate threats like wildfires and heatwaves grow more intense across California, so too does the call to center frontline voices in shaping our collective response. In the virtual panel “Our Communities, Our Bay: Preparing Our Communities for Climate Change”, hosted by USC Price and its partners, three women leaders came together to spotlight a model of climate resilience rooted in lived experience, community science, and trust.

This powerful discussion featured Dr. Gabrielle Wong-Parodi (Stanford University), Violet Wulf-Saena (Climate Resilient Communities), and Ortensia Lopez (El Concilio of San Mateo County). Together, they unpacked how climate research and community leadership must work in tandem to address systemic disadvantage and foster lasting adaptation.

Why Our Communities Are So Disadvantaged

Early in the panel, Violet Wulf-Saena delivered a pointed reflection: “Why our community are so disadvantaged.” Her words were not rhetorical—they underscored a reality that communities like East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, and North Fair Oaks know all too well.

These neighborhoods—largely low-income and home to immigrants and communities of color—face compounding risks from climate change, including extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding. Yet they are often left out of the decision-making processes that shape their environment.

Research that Listens, Leadership that Trusts

Dr. Wong-Parodi emphasized a growing academic shift toward community-engaged research—not simply studying communities, but working with them as equal partners. She discussed how collaborations with trusted local leaders like Violet and Ortensia help reframe what effective climate preparedness looks like, and how equity can be built into both research design and policy application.

Ortensia Lopez, a longtime advocate in San Mateo County, highlighted how trust and respect are earned over years of service. She reminded the audience that communities already have the knowledge to protect themselves—they need recognition, resources, and a seat at the table.

CRC’s Model: From Lived Experience to Action

Violet described the founding of Climate Resilient Communities (CRC) as a direct response to these community needs. CRC empowers residents through the creation of Climate Change Community Teams (CCCTs), which train and support frontline leaders in climate education, data collection, and co-developing solutions. By engaging youth, elders, and multigenerational families, CRC builds community infrastructure that’s emotionally and culturally grounded—not just physically prepared.

Violet also shared how CRC works across sectors—from county officials to regional climate agencies—to ensure that frontline voices aren’t just heard, but integrated into planning.

Takeaways and Next Steps

The panel was more than a dialogue—it was a call to action:

For researchers: make your work accountable to community-defined priorities.
For policymakers: invest in grassroots infrastructure, not just green infrastructure.
For funders: trust frontline leaders and provide flexible, long-term support.

Climate change is a universal challenge—but its burdens are not evenly shared. As this conversation made clear, true resilience starts with equity, and equity starts by listening.