Climate Action through Community Hubs

This community-based research project will partner with Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA) to identify how place-based community hubs – such as community centres, neighbourhood organizations, and frontline service non-profits – can catalyze equitable climate action. This project will help us understand how to address climate change equitably. Research has shown that climate action to date has tended to reinforce inequalities rather than ameliorate them. We therefore need to better understand how to scale up community-led climate action that benefits marginalized communities. Community hubs are perfectly positioned to address this gap. Every week, community hubs support hundreds of thousands of people across Canada, offering vital programs and services for children, youth, seniors, refugees, and economically marginalized residents. This research seeks to understand how climate action is being integrated into the programming of a wide range of community hubs across Canada and how, by leveraging their deep local connections, hubs can empower diverse communities to lead and benefit from the transition to a resilient and net-zero future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Laura Tozer

Student:

Partner:

Toronto Environmental Alliance

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Toronto

Program: