Skip to main content

Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice

As leaders in climate adaptation science in the Northeast, we aspire to create a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just community of scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders. However, we have a long way to go. First, successfully adapting to climate change will require the insights, ingenuity, and effort of all people, especially those who have historically been excluded from climate conversations. Therefore, the NE CASC and its consortium of universities are committed to recruiting, including, and supporting voices from groups underrepresented at all levels of climate adaptation science. Including and centering these voices improves climate adaptation by expanding the breadth and depth of our expertise, perspective, and understanding of the issues and the solutions. Second, successfully adapting to climate change will require climate justice. Climate change disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and people of color as poverty and inequity compound its impacts. We are committed to deeply and authentically engaging with and elevating leaders from communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and co-producing adaptation science that addresses their natural and cultural resource needs. We are committed to educating ourselves and our network about climate justice. Together, these actions will begin to restructure the culture and community of climate adaptation science to make our work more inclusive and effective.