Wenatchee nonprofit secures climate commitment act funds
Listen
(Runtime 1:06)
Read
The Washington State Department of Health has allocated $750,000 through the Climate and Health Adaptation Initiative Community Capacity Grant (CHAI) to eight organizations, including nonprofits and tribal communities, focused on addressing climate change. Among the recipients is Our Valley Our Future, a Wenatchee-based nonprofit.
According to Chelan County officials, Washington state has experienced significant droughts, declining snowpack and extreme wildfire seasons due to climate change. Our Valley Our Future plans to research to identify actionable steps to combat these issues.
“By funding projects that prioritize the voices and experiences within communities, we are addressing immediate environmental and health impacts related to climate change while also building lasting relationships based on trust and mutual respect,” said Lauren Jenks, assistant secretary of the health department’s environmental public health division.
Before a community can solidify a climate action plan, data collection and analysis are essential to determine areas for improvement. Chelan County already has a climate resilience strategy, and additional research by Sustainable NCW will focus on Wenatchee’s specific needs.
The research will examine the effects of wildfire smoke on construction and agriculture, among other factors.
“We are taking a broad view of what health really means, considering overall well-being and mental health,” said Jana Fishback, the climate action coordinator at Sustainable NCW. “It’s not just about how wildfire smoke affects someone’s lungs but also the impact of being confined indoors for extended periods due to poor air quality.”
Our Valley Our Future, the lead name on the grant, collaborates with various nonprofits, such as Sustainable NCW, to help secure funding and resources. Climate change is one of their key focus areas.
The project team for the grant, collaborating with Our Valley Our Future, includes Smoke Ready Solutions, Sustainable NCW and Cascadia Consulting.
The research team aims to identify and map vulnerable populations at risk from climate-related health hazards. Goals include strengthening protections for these populations by enhancing and aligning Congressional Budget Office funding, soliciting community input, and empowering decision-making to build climate and health resilience.
Based on their preliminary research, likely vulnerable groups include Latino communities, individuals with health sensitivities or disabilities, Native American tribes and outdoor workers.
While the study may incorporate state-level data, the focus is on local data to better understand the impact on north central Washington residents and to develop plans to enhance community resilience against climate change.
Reneé Diaz may be contacted at diaz@wenatcheeworld.com. Collaborative reporting by The Wenatchee World, NWPB and WSU’s Murrow College of Communication Newsroom Fellowship.
