Presentation description

Climate change continues to disproportionately impact marginalized communities worldwide. As environmental challenges intensify for all populations, frontline communities bear the greatest burden. In Utah, the West Side neighborhoods, with the highest concentrations of people of color and lower socioeconomic status, are currently facing the most severe effects. These communities face a range of interconnected environmental, financial, health, and social stressors Using a mixed-methods approach that combined qualitative interviews with an extensive literature review, our project aimed to develop a solutions-focused strategy specifically forWest Side communities. We prioritized speaking with local experts who have direct knowledge and experience related to the complex challenges these communities face. Our interviewees came from a variety of fields, including urban planning, academic research, nonprofit organizations, and individuals who are experiencing the effects of climate change and related stressors firsthand. we collected information about the specific climate change impacts and the social, economic, and health challenges facing frontline communities on the West Side. These conversations helped us identify potential strategies and practical solutions that could be implemented to address these issues effectively as well as the barriers and challenges that could hinder these solutions. Our results highlight the importance of targeted interventions that address overlapping stressors. This preliminary work will support our future goals of creating accessible, community-focused resources and solutions.