We are thrilled with the presentation of our “Angelinos Voices – Catalyzing Community Capacity for Equity in Climate Action,” Research Reports in English and Spanish, a look at the pulse of Equity in Climate Action in South Central Los Angeles.
The CERC NEST team believes that community-led insights are a crucial foundation for actionable change. This research uncovers residents’ day-to-day realities, aspirations, systemic challenges, assets, networks and agency to foster equitable, sustainable action.
Key findings from the report revolve around problems, such as:
– Cost of living: Because of high, rising, and interconnected costs of housing, energy, food, transport, healthcare, and education, energy use decisions (e.g., limiting AC) are often driven by affordability rather than comfort.
– Work and income insecurity: Job insecurity reduces the ability to mitigate and adapt to climatic and economic stressors.
We also highlight what makes neighbourhoods strong and resilient, as well as the tangible resources and opportunities residents have, such as financial assets, access to decision-making, and structures of care within social networks, including family, neighbours, and Esperanza Community Housing, our research partner.
The most prominent strengths and assets that participants shared were their structures of mutual care, social networks, local knowledge, and skills.
Angelinos articulated shared values and future-oriented ideas, with three interconnected visions consistently emerging as most prominent: people-centred, greener and community-centred, as well as safer futures for Los Angeles.
Angelinos identified several existing and needed solutions, including social innovations and mobilizations around rent control, housing retrofitting, human safety, and health care.
Still, Angelinos are deeply aware of the need for stronger political will and effective support from governmental and non-governmental actors.