Community members are experts and The Bronx Climate Justice Task Force will ensure that these communities have a voice in decisions made that will shape the future of climate resiliency in the Bronx. Climate Change is here and Bronxites are exposed to heightened risks from frequent heat waves, deteriorating air quality, intense downpours leading to flash flooding, and storm surges. Communities in the Bronx are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to decades of racist urban planning policies. As such, any infrastructure development plans must be informed by the climate resiliency needs of local Bronx communities.
Descriptions of Each Partner Org
Bronx Children’s Museum: At the Bronx Children’s Museum, we nurture the wonder of childhood, fostering curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love for learning through interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) experiences.
Bronx Council for Environmental Quality (BCEQ): The Bronx Council for Environmental Quality seeks to establish — as an Inherent Human Right — a sound, forward-looking environmental policy regarding an aesthetic, unpolluted, environment protecting a natural and historic heritage.
Harlem River Coalition: The HRC is a group of community organizations focused on improving environmental quality and access to the Harlem River in The Bronx.
Rocking the Boat: Rocking the Boat participants develop pride, purpose, and possibility by learning the unique and lifelong skills behind building and rowing wooden boats, sailing, and restoring the Bronx River. We create community, teach through transformative experiences, and make nature available to everyone, inspiring young people to determine their own future against a backdrop of systemic inequity.
South Bronx Unite: South Bronx Unite brings together neighborhood residents, community organizations, academic institutions, and allies to improve and protect the social, environmental, and economic future of Mott Haven and Port Morris.
SUNY Maritime: We forge adaptive and critical-thinking leaders ready for the evolving global maritime industry. One of the missions of the Science Department is to equip Marine Environmental Science students with the interdisciplinary skills and technological competence necessary to analyze contemporary environmental issues through hands-on, student-centered, and relevant coursework, field work, and research opportunities.
The Point CDC: THE POINT Community Development Corporation is dedicated to youth development and the cultural and economic revitalization of the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx.
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice (YMPJ): The mission of Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice (YMPJ) is to rebuild the neighborhoods of Bronx River and Soundview/Bruckner Boulevard in the South Bronx by preparing community members to become prophetic voices for peace and justice. We accomplish this through political education, spiritual formation, youth development, and community development and organizing.
Climate Risks
Extreme Heat: Dense urbanized areas like NYC, particularly the Bronx, are warmer than their rural and suburban surroundings. As greenhouse gas emissions cause higher temperatures globally, NYC will experience more frequent, intense, and longer heat waves.
Poor Air Quality: In addition to the highways and industrialization, climate change is worsening air quality issues, as extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires are more prevalent.
Extreme Rainfall: Extreme rainfall events, sometimes called “cloudbursts”, are increasing in number and severity because of climate change.
Flooding: Flooding is worsening and becoming commonplace due to extreme rainfall, stronger storms, and rising sea levels