We know that climate solutions have the potential to improve the quality of life of all Austinites, but climate change impacts don’t affect everyone equally. As part of the Austin Community Climate Plan Update, we are working to reach historically underrepresented groups — specifically, people of color — in conversations around energy, transportation, food, and access to nature. This is why we are launching the Community Climate Ambassadors Program.

Who are Community Climate Ambassadors?

The primary role of our ambassadors is to gather and share information about climate issues with their community. Topics include but are not limited to: energy, transportation, food, and access to nature. We put out a call for applications in Nov. 2019 and are now in the process of meeting with the selected ambassadors and kicking off the program.

Our ambassadors will be tasked with meaningfully engaging with the following groups:

• Black, Indigenous, people of color
• Youth
• LGBTQIA+ Communities
• Immigrant, migrant, and/or refugee communities
• Union workers
• People with disabilities
• Low income communities
• People experiencing homelessness
• People with records

What will ambassadors do?

Ambassadors will be financially compensated to complete the following tasks:

• Participate in a workshop to learn more about climate-related issues and contribute their thoughts to the conversation.
• Work with City staff to design and develop an interview guide.
• Conduct interview reports to gather and share information about climate issues within their communities between December and March 2019.
• Collaborate with the Office of Sustainability to reach out to networks about the Community Climate Plan.

Stay tuned for more info!

We’ll be sharing more information about our ambassadors on this page, on Facebook, and in our newsletter. If you have any questions about the program, please contact Celine Rendon.