Roots and Canopies of Community Stewardship: A Framework for Housing and Climate Justice Policy

Climate Justice
Political Education
Roots and Canopies of Community Stewardship: A Framework for Housing and Climate Justice Policy

As the 21st century unfolds, it is clear that the housing and climate crises are deeply intertwined. Increasingly severe weather worsens existing housing insecurity and that insecurity makes it more difficult for many communities to respond to the next climate disaster. Over time, this cycle erodes physical and social infrastructure. To stabilize and build resilient communities that can survive immediate climate threats and participate in the long-term work of a just transition away from an extractive economy we must break this cycle.¹Housing and climate justice are often considered separately, but for our communities the distinction is increasingly blurred. We at Right to the City have come to realize that long-term solutions for one must consider the other. To that end, in what follows, we ask: what could a policy framework that incorporates housing and climate justice look like? This is our first attempt at the Right to the City Alliance to integrate climate issues into our work. We thank our members and allies who shared with us their experiences and expertise and look forward to working with them and others in the future to improve our efforts.