Addressing Data Gaps for Equitable Implementation of Climate and Disaster Resilience Solutions in California

Funding for community-based programs for climate and disaster resilience relies on information about who is at risk and who is impacted. Existing data on health and socioeconomic risks of and impacts, especially data that reflect the experiences of socially marginalized populations, are often missing or not collected, resulting in climate and disaster narratives and resourcing efforts that often overlook their voices and needs. As extreme climate events, such as heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires are expected to be more frequent and intense in the coming years, there are tremendous opportunities for philanthropy to catalyze an inclusive effort around data collection and integration, thus ensuring climate and disaster policies and programs include community voices, support frontline communities, and promote sustained community resilience.

Speakers will share the state of the data landscape in addressing climate and disaster risks and impacts. They will discuss implications of the current data landscape on existing climate and disaster policies, funding, and programs, and they will also share their perspectives about opportunities for philanthropic engagement that can advance equitable resourcing and implementation of resilience solutions in communities across the state.

The scope of this webinar will address the intersection of climate and disaster resilience and existing public health, racial and economic challenges facing frontline communities.

Key Reports:

Speakers

Teresa Feo, Senior Science Officer, California Council on Science and Technology (CCST)

Teresa Feocontributes to the delivery of CCST’s science services, including peer-reviewed reports and expert briefings, and to and to CCST’s work engaging the philanthropic community. Teresa is committed to forming connections between scientists and policymakers on a wide range of issues impacting the state of California and is the lead author of The Costs of Wildfire in California. Prior to joining CCST, Teresa was a CCST Science and Technology Policy Fellow in the California State Senate Office of Research where she provided research and analysis on a broad range of policy topics including natural resources, environmental quality, health, veterans’ affairs, and professional licensing boards. Teresa received her Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Yale University.

Alan Kwok, Director of Climate and Disaster Resilience, Philanthropy California (Moderator)

Alan Kwok is the director of climate and disaster resilience for Philanthropy California (Philanthropy CA)–an alliance of Northern CaliforniaGrantmakers, Southern CaliforniaGrantmakers, and Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties –that comprises 600+ philanthropic organizations and groups across California. He leads Philanthropy California’s climate and disaster resilience strategies, and his role is to strengthen and galvanize the philanthropic sector in California around investments and advocacy in community-based climate and disaster resilience. He earned his Ph.D. in Emergency Management at the Joint Centre for Disaster Research at Massey University, New Zealand, and an M.A. in Geography with a focus on Resource Management and Environmental Planning at San Francisco State University.

Sona Mohnot, Associate Director, Climate Resilience, Greenlining Institute

Sona Mohnot works on creating equitable climate adaptation and resilience strategies to ensure that communities hit first and worst by climate disasters have the resources and support needed to adapt to a changing climate and thrive in spite of it. She was the lead author of Making Equity Real in Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience Policies and Programs, a guidebook for policymakers on how to meaningfully embed equity in resilience efforts. Sona also serves as a council member on the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP), out of the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, and is a member of the California Climate Insurance Working Group, out of the California Department of Insurance. She holds a J.D. from Tulane School of Law and her LL.M in Natural Resources and Environmental Law from Lewis and Clark Law School.

Gabriela Orantes, Fellow, Latino Community Foundation’s Just Recovery at North Bay Organizing Project

Gabriela Orantes supports the Latino Community Foundation’s Just Recovery cohort of partners to leverage, coordinate, and advance civic engagement and community advocacy in the region, post-2017 wildfires. Through this work, she has been an advocate for language justice in formal disaster response and government spaces by highlighting the intersections of language, disasters, and public participation. Her academic and career paths are informed by her upbringing in an immigrant household in northern California that benefited from the deep relationships and support of the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children's Center. Gabriela holds a Master’s in Public Administration along with Graduate Certificates in Non-Profit Management, Women Studies, and Planning Studies.

Amee Raval, Research Director, Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)

Amee Raval is Research Director at the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, an environmental justice organization that empowers Asian immigrant and refugee communities across California through grassroots organizing, voter engagement, and policy advocacy. Through her role at APEN, she offers an environmental justice and health equity lens to climate and energy policy in California. She is the lead author of Mapping Resilience: A Blueprint for Thriving in the Face of Climate Disasters and contributing author to Resilience Before Disaster: The Need to Build Equitable, Community-Driven Social Infrastructure, two foundational reports that are directly influencing statewide decisions on climate resilience. Amee holds an MSPH in Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley School of Public Health.