She/Her
The opportunity to partner and collaborate with the Sunrise Project and the Climate + Energy Project has been so wonderful and such a supportive experience, it has been a true pleasure to be a part of the project. Personally, the project has been really wonderful as a space to build community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and a way to feel connected, seen, and empowered. To be seen in my wholeness, affirmed, and valued as a wealth of my experiences during the project is something I treasure and will always be thankful for.
The Lawrence community members I interviewed hope to see intentional and meaningful policy created in Douglas County to address climate change, and it is an honor to uplift their voices and stories. I interviewed seven Douglas County Community members with various intersecting identities—folks of color, trans-femme and queer folks, women—with the majority of community members interviewed identifying as BIPOC (Black, Latinx, Asian).
It was interesting to see the connectedness of folks’ narratives and to track the themes that appeared when reviewing the interviews as a collective. Reimagining, cultivating, and developing more green spaces in Douglas County was a common thread between community members, as well as reimagining structures to be more environmentally-efficient and new community spaces. Transportation and public transportation were also a substantial shared theme across interviews, as community members would love to see improved public transit that is more reliable and has enclosed shelters to protect community members from the weather as they are waiting. Also, making the community and neighborhoods more walkable and accessible for all was another theme. As well as ensuring that Douglas County’s climate change policy includes intentional collaboration, partnership, and gives power back to communities who have been historically marginalized by white supremacy.
The Douglas County community members I interviewed hope to see intentional, equitable, and inclusive climate policy created for all and will be looking for accountability from leaders to make it happen.
