The City of Olympia is recruiting up to 15 community members for its Community Project Team, which will provide insights and perspectives on the potential impacts of climate change in Olympia.
The Community Project Team will support the City’s climate risk and vulnerability assessment (CRVA). Arising through a partnership with ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability), the CRVA assesses the ways in which the community is susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The assessment includes three steps. First, exposure to hazards caused or made worse by climate change will be identified and assessed. Second, the potential impacts on populations, systems, assets or services that are vulnerable to those hazards will be examined. And third, the various climate-related risks will be ranked according to their seriousness.
Members of the Community Project Team will participate in a series of six meetings and workshops, which will occur from April through July of 2023, to learn about anticipated future climate conditions and assess potential impacts of current and future climate hazards. As part of their work, team members will share personal perspectives and insights on potential impacts of future climate conditions.
No previous climate knowledge or experience is required. Priority will be given to applicants who represent diverse community perspectives. The team may include:
- Interested community members
- Private sector representatives (e.g., local chamber of commerce, businesses)
- Local scientists and academics
- Community leaders or champions
- Members of front-line communities
- Regional government representatives
- Representatives, staff, or members of religious and interfaith groups; nonprofits; environmental justice organizations; labor organizations; housing organizations; civil rights groups; youth and elder groups; health advocates; and others.
- To reduce barriers to community member participation, members of the Community Project Team will receive stipends of $25 per meeting attended. Those members who certify as low income are eligible to receive stipends of $50 per meeting attended. Community Project Team members may waive the stipend upon request.
Interested individuals are encouraged to apply by March 27 at 5 p.m. Apply online by clicking here or contact [email protected] or 360.753.8249 for translations, paper copies or questions.