Capstone Project

Background: Every year more than a quarter-million people die due to the effects of climate change. Sixty-two percent of Americans say that climate change is affecting their local communities. However, only 1 in 10 Americans consider themselves to be “very well informed” about climate change, and seventy-five percent say they would like to know more. The Climate Council of Greater Kansas City (CCGKC) is an umbrella organization that was formed in response to the magnitude of global warming and in recognition of the need for collective action on a community-wide level to address the climate crisis. Objective: The purpose of this project is to identify and evaluate ways of community engagement that can strengthen public knowledge about the contributors to climate change, expand the important work happening in Kansas City, and address the climate-related issues we face today. Methods: Interviews with local environmental organizations were conducted and published online for public awareness. Blog posts with information about greenhouse gas emission drivers, trends, and mitigation were sent out in a weekly newsletter. CCGKC Twitter was used as a tool to direct the community to relevant information and highlight the opportunity to participate in the annual Earth Festival hosted by CCGKC. Results: Partner organizations, social media platforms, and interviews played a meaningful role in community engagement strategies. These efforts empowered citizens to learn about climate change topics and to potentially build a coalition of support on a range of integrated environmental policies and programs. Conclusion: Community involvement in the dimensions of climate change is a way for residents to understand its negative impacts and take full advantage of potential opportunities to set sustainable development goals in the area in which they live. Community involvement can influence the way social, economic, and environmental policies and actions are designed and appraised