Addressing climate change requires an all-hands-on-deck approach but it can be hard for individuals to know how to get involved. It can also be difficult for municipalities to know how to engage their residents who might benefit from learning about potential impacts and projects. 

The City of Newburyport is tackling this challenge with funding from the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program and assistance from Creative Action Institute and the Urban Harbors Institute. Over the past few weeks, more than 60 people have participated in climate change forums. There, they learned about and explored the local impacts of climate change, taking time to connect with their neighbors, talk about their concerns, learn what the City is doing, and identify ways they can take action. 

The forums were informed by nearly 400 people who responded to a survey about climate impacts in the City. Of greatest concern were flooding, sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and extreme temperatures. The forums tackled each of these aspects of climate change through images, data, and discussion. 

Not only have the forums provided the public with information about climate change, but they’ve been an opportunity for the City to learn what its residents are most concerned about and what they need in terms of resources and information. 

For more information on the City’s great work, visit the Resiliency Committee’s webpage.