Equity slides from CMAP launch event

1. WHAT DOWE MEAN BY EQUITY?
Equity acknowledges that different people start in different places due to racist historical context and societal
circumstances. Equity intends to “level the playing field” for everyone to achieve success equally.
EQUITY
STARTING LOCAL
Governments across the country are focusing on racial equity, which is critically important to driving larger systemic change.The
City of Boulder has made equity a key priority in it’s work when developing policies, programs and services.
Local and regional governments have the ability to implement policy change at multiple levels and across multiple sectors. For our
community to achieve long-term impact, changes must be sustainable for all.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR CLIMATE
Although climate change affects us all, the impacts are not shared equally. Climate change
impacts compound socio-economic disadvantages born of decades of public disinvestment,
government-promoted segregation, inequitable economic development and gentrification.
Inequitable policies have long put communities of color and low-income communities directly
in the line of impact.
• People of color are more likely to live in substandard housing that increases their exposure
to health risks like poor indoor air quality.
• The geographic location of Communities of color often exposes people of color to
increased environmental risks like flooding and pollution.
• People of color and other vulnerable populations face disproportionate risks of death and
other impacts of extreme heat.
• Low-income communities are more likely to experience urban heat island effects, where
an urban area is significantly warmer than surrounding areas.
HEAT AND INCOME – AURORA, CO

3. GAME CHANGERS
HOW CAN WE CHANGETHE GAME?
The City of Boulder’s work to combat the effects of the climate crisis will only be successful and realized if the solutions mobilize all people.We must be
inclusive and embrace our community’s diversity and equity which will make us stronger together.
Game changing actions will build the foundation of an organization that prioritizes equity as a key building block of a strong, welcoming and just
community—one that is sustainable, resilient and equitable.
The CMAP goals must go beyond closing the gap.We must establish appropriate benchmarks that lift up all populations while paying close attention to
those often excluded and most impacted.
WHAT IF…
...all people in Boulder – not just those with financial means – have the ability to tap into and adopt new technologies that save energy and
money on utility bills
...we ensure equity partners, people of color and underrepresented and marginalized populations play a larger role in our government activities
...the city as a whole is dedicated to advancing racial and social equity in all departments throughout our local government
...we learn new ways to engage with community members that incorporate the spectrum of culture that exists across the city
...we support neighborhood gatherings where community members can lead the conversation around equity and climate change