ENGAGING CHICAGO’S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES in the Chicago Climate Action Plan · in the Chicago...

ENGAGING CHICAGO’S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES

in the Chicago Climate Action Plan

©The Field Museum, ECCo

Research Team

Principle Investigators:Dr. Jennifer Hirsch, The Field MuseumCommissioner Suzanne Malec-McKenna, City of ChicagoDr. Alaka Wali, The Field MuseumDr. Lynn Westphal, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station

Project Managers:Dr. Lori Barcliff Baptista, The Field Museum (Roseland study)Dr. Janette Bulkan, The Field Museum (Forest Glen study)Dr. Rosa Cabrera, The Field Museum (Pilsen, West Ridge studies)Dr. Christine Dunford, The Field Museum (North Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville study)Mario Longoni, The Field Museum (Polish, Forest Glen studies)

Project Team: Dr. Ruth Gomberg-Muñoz, Chicago Cultural AllianceRyan Lugalia-Hollon, The Field MuseumLisa See Kim, The Field MuseumCherie LeBlanc Fisher, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research StationDr. Kate McClellan, The Field MuseumTroy Peters, Global Philanthropy PartnershipSarah Sommers, The Field MuseumMadeleine Tudor, The Field Museum

Interns:Kiona Baker-Mitchell Izabela GrobelnaCyrus Hester Hannah PorstJuliana WilhoitCurtis Witek


Community PartnersSouth Chicago:Rosa Perea, Centro Comunitario Juan DiegoDinah Ramirez, Healthy Southeast Chicago

North Kenwood-Oakland/ Bronzeville:Danielle Walters, Stateway Community Partners

The Polish Community: Rich Kujawa, The Polish Museum of AmericaJan Lorys, The Polish Museum of America

Pilsen:Jose Luis Gutierrez, Casa MichoacánZorayda Avila, Casa Michoacán Gabriela Mendoza, Casa MichoacánRebeccah Sanders, Chicago Cultural AllianceMimosa Shah, Chicago Cultural Alliance

West Ridge:Modhurima Mukherjee, Indo-American Heritage MuseumNafisa Bandukwala, Indo-American Heritage MuseumMannan Bandukwala, Indo-American Heritage MuseumRebeccah Sanders, Chicago Cultural AllianceDorothie Shah, Indo-American Heritage Museum Mimosa Shah, Chicago Cultural AllianceRenuka Sharma, Indo-American Center

Roseland:Angela Pace-Moody, The Energy Action NetworkMettrice Davis, B.R.O.C.K. Social ServicesPhyllis Jones, B.R.O.C.K. Social ServicesWinona Stiff, B.R.O.C.K. Social ServicesBrenda Taylor, B.R.O.C.K. Social ServicesDorotha Tyler, B.R.O.C.K. Social ServicesBrenda Weil, B.R.O.C.K. Social ServicesCarolyn Thomas, God’s GangRuth Gardner-Woods, God’s GangDorothy Jenkins, Fernwood United Methodist ChurchBrenda Little, Fernwood United Methodist ChurchDerrick Red, Fernwood United Methodist ChurchRev. Al Sampson, Fernwood United Methodist Church

Forest Glen:Jennifer Herren Gatesman, Sauganash Chamber of Commerce Moira K. Pollard, Sauganash Community AssociationSue Williamson, Sauganash Community Association


Research was commissioned by the Chicago Department of Environment

Research Support


RESEARCH APPROACH


Approach

Studies completed 2008 to present

1 SOUTH CHICAGO

WEST RIDGESOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITY

NORTH KENWOOD-

OAKLAND/BRONZEVILLE

POLISH

COMMUNITY

FOREST

GLEN

PILSENMEXICAN COMMUNITY

ROSELAND

2

3

4

5

6

7

3

1

2

4

5

6

7


Studies to be completed 2011 to 2012

*Contract pending

Approach

AUSTIN

BEVERLY*IRISH COMMUNITY

CHINATOWN,

UPTOWN*CHINESE COMMUNITY

MIDWAY AREA*

NORTHEAST SIDE*

8

9

10

11

12

8

9

10

9

11

12


Stateway Community Partners

PILSEN’S

MEXICAN

COMMUNITY

WEST RIDGE’S

SOUTH ASIAN

COMMUNITY

SOUTH

CHICAGO

FOREST GLEN

POLISH

COMMUNITY

NORTH

KENWOOD-

OAKLAND/

BRONZEVILLE

ROSELAND

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

Approach

Participatory Action Research


CCAP

CommunityConcerns

Eco-Friendly Values,

Practices

SocialInnovations

CommunicationNetworks

Leaders & Stakeholders

Approach

Identify Entryways to Climate Action


• Participant observation• Interviews• Focus groups• Visual activities• Storytelling• Social network surveys

Organizational Representatives

Cited Organizations

Organizational Representatives

Cited Organizations

(North Kenwood/Oakland-Bronzeville, South Chicago)

Approach

Research Methods


FINDINGS


Overall Findings

Five Key Takeaway Points1. While most residents are aware of and care about global climate

change, many do not connect it to their everyday lives in Chicago.

2. The cultural and social backgrounds of residents play large roles in determining their attitudes and beliefs about climate change,nature, and the environment.

3. Most residents already engage in a range of green practices in their daily lives, from the mainstream to the creative and community-specific.

4. Climate action programs will likely be most successful if they are designed and implemented with networks of trusted community organizations and leaders, build on cultural values, and identify and scale up existing positive behaviors.

5. Most communities are interested in adopting climate action programs that provide recognizable, community-level co-benefits, including but going beyond cost savings.


FINDINGS IAWARENESS & UNDERSTANDING OF CLIMATE CHANGE


PERCEPTIONS & AWARENESS

• Study participants expressed a sense of global responsibility toward the environment.

• Participants most often associated climate change with weather- and nature-related consequences.

• Connections to salient environmental/social catastrophes like the BP Oil Spill or Hurricane Katrina were commonly made.

• Many also pointed to iconic symbols of climate change, such as polar bears or melting ice caps.

Attitudes and Awareness

Findings I: Awareness & Understanding



Many Chicagoans – especially those with recent immigrant backgrounds – gain awareness of the impacts of climate change through their global (e.g., Mexico, India) and transregional (e.g., U.S. South) connections.

Global / Transregional Connections




Though residents recognize the seriousness of global climatechange and the importance of caring for the natural environment,they generally do not connect it to their lives in Chicago.

Climate Change in Chicago


lack of urgencyinvisibility of problems

someone else’s agendafault of big business/government


Many residents’ perceptions of climate change are informed by climate action campaigns and green practices in their home countries.

Memory and Experience



Heritage and Culture

Broader cultural frameworks inform residents’ understandings of nature, the environment, and climate change.


religionnatural resourceshome/garden aesthetics

global/local responsibilitykinship, family & communityoutdoor space


Connections to Other Concerns



Nationally discussed co-benefits

Economicdevelopment

and green jobs

Jobs: trades and domestic

cleaning services

TransportationHealth

Cultural heritage(not raised as issue)

Polish community concerns in the Chicago area

Example of Concerns: Polish Community

Healthy livingHome


Cost savings


• Make climate change feel local, personal, and actionable, in part by linking it to issues that residents care about.

• Identify and support culturally diverse environmentally-friendly traditions and values.

• Present climate change as a transnational issue, addressing ethnic communities’connections to their homeland cultures.

Recommendations



FINDINGS IIGREEN PRACTICES


Even if they are skeptical about climate change, residents already engage in green practices for a variety of reasons:

Findings II: Green Practices

Beyond Environmental Action

cost savingssense of communal

responsibilitycultural traditions/heritage

community beautificationhealthyouth developmentsocial pressure


Many residents take pride in DIY: finding their own creative solutions to environmental problems.

Creative Solutions



Mainstream Practices

Communities are also actively participating in climate action strategies encouraged by the City, often working with community organizations.



Barriers


Practical barriers include:- concerns about mercury in CFLs- perceived cost of green living- personal safety concerns (e.g.,

riding public transportation)

Some green practices also carry sociocultural stigmas in some neighborhoods; they are seen as symbolizing rural life, lack of education, and low social class:- raising chickens- hanging clothes - gardening


• Start where people are at: showcase and reward the practical and creative ways communities are already engaged in climate-friendly practices.

• Create campaigns that address particular fears & concerns and that frame stigmatized practices in a positive light.

• Link DIY practices to larger, structural green solutions (e.g. retrofits).

Recommendations



FINDINGS IIIENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS/

CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES


Ranking Energy Practices

Findings III: Energy

High Rankingusing CFLs

turning off lights & appliancesopening windows & using drapes

using energy-efficient devices

Low Rankingretrofitting

using renewable energybuilding green

installing green roofs


• Practical barriers to making larger energy-related changes include upfront cost and renter-landlord arrangements.

• Many residents feel they lack the expertise to deal with contractors/inspectors and are wary of contractor scams and home energy ‘inspections’.

• Aging or deteriorating housing stock precludes some residents from getting retrofits.

• Co-delivery programs become problematic when remediation resources have not been identified.

Barriers to Structural Change



Barriers to Structural Change• Some residents are taking actions based on marketing

(e.g. windows) and on their own perceptions of their homes’ needs instead of pursuing energy audits.

• A lack of centralized, actionable information on energy efficiency beyond mainstream measures leaves residents unsure of how to proceed.

• Many communities are beginning to organize around green building jobs but are concerned that they will be left out of the larger movement.

• Many residents express concern that “going green” is only for the wealthy and that large-scale green efforts, such as retrofitting programs, are run by powerful institutions and government agencies with ulterior motives.



Residents who retrofit their homes do so for a variety of reasons:

Retrofitting


comfortbeautificationnoise abatement

cost savingsmaintaining property valueenvironmental impact


A handful of home and business owners in each community have turned to clean and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and alternative fuels. However, most residents remain deterred by high up-front costs.

Clean and Renewable Energy



• Develop retrofit programs that use trusted local contractors andliaisons from recognized local organizations during energy audits and construction.

• Enlist influential and trusted homeowners to get energy audits and share their experiences with their communities.

• Provide comparative informational tools that allow residents to prioritize energy efficiency steps, locate qualified providers, and easily utilize rebate and credit programs.

• Create retrofit programs that connect energy efficiency to the other benefits people see in retrofitting.

• Make retrofitting a visible & talked about status symbol.• Support and reward those who are turning to clean and

renewable energy sources.

Recommendations



FINDINGS IVSTAKEHOLDERS


• Community-Based Organizations (CBOs): social service agencies, community and business associations, local art centers, advocacy groups, CDCs, etc.

• Property managers• Religious institutions• Local media• Local businesses• Schools/universities• Neighborhood government• Women’s organizations

Findings IV: Stakeholders

Stakeholder Groups


North Kenwood-Oakland/Bronzeville: Brokers

Polish Community: Support from Suburbs & Poland

Community Network Models



• CBOs serve as trusted alternatives to City/outside organizations.

• Some CBOs are highly trusted but are not seen as potential sources for climate change information.

Community -Based Organizations (CBOs )



Social Justice and Environmentalism

Some stakeholder groups connect environmental issues to local social justice movements:

• Food• Health• Pollution• Green space• Education• Safety• Immigration• Quality of life



• Engage local organizations as community experts and provide them with the tools to connect their work with climate action.

• Identify and work with a variety of stakeholders, including those that serve as cultural brokers for harder-to-reach communities.

• Identify and work with:– CBOs with a broad geographic sphere of influence – Umbrella organizations – Organizations that work with CBOs city-wide

• Incentivize participation in climate action programs through reciprocal marketing with CBOs and businesses.

• Offer and incentivize regular networking opportunities to share climate action ideas and best practices.

• Foster connections between climate action and social justice.

Recommendations



FINDINGS VCOMMUNICATIONS


Word-of-mouth is an essential source of community information and provides credence to information that residents receive through other channels.

Word -of-Mouth

Findings V: Communications


Many communities have long-held traditions of celebrating culture and heritage in key public spaces.

Public Art



Demonstrating rather than merely communicating green strategies is key to engaging residents.

Green Demonstration Sites



• Create word-of-mouth campaigns through informal communications networks.

• Educate local opinion leaders on climate change and deploy them as climate action ambassadors.

• Provide support for communities to develop green demonstration sites, including through public arts programming.

Recommendations



• Residents turn to a range of community/ethnic newspapers, radio shows, and local and international television programs for information and news.

• Local media provides Chicago’s communities with extensive coverage of salient international and local events, whereas national media is a source of more generalized information.

• Topics covered in local media outlets can serve as potential links to climate action topics.

Established Media Outlets



• Though most participants reported using the Internet, the majority do not actively seek general climate change information, in part because they are unsure where to look.

• Some residents consult the Internet for green DIY projects.

• Many CBOs expressed a desire to increase their online presence.

• Older residents (40+) prefer to receive information by email, word-of-mouth, and mailings than by social networking sites or texting.

Digital Media



• Link climate action to topics that already receive significant coverage in local media, and pitch media stories about Chicago’s climate action work to international media outlets.

• Work with CBOs to drive website usage and to provide community-specific information about climate action resources.

Recommendations



FINDINGS VIMODELS FOR ENGAGEMENT


Green DemonstrationCommunities

Findings VI: Models for Engagement

Art & HeritageGardening/

Urban Agriculture


Recycling/Repurposing


Youth Development/Education


Community Engagement Strategies

ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES FROM FIELD MUSEUM RESEARCH


Enlisting community leadersCollaborating with CBOsLocal media campaignsMulti-language translationWeb-based toolsYouth programming/educationCompetition/games

Engaging local contractors/businessesMobilizing through ‘crisis’Community brandingStorytellingIncentives (monetary & other)Emotion-based campaignsOne-on-one home visits

Rewarding creative green practicesBuilding on green heritage traditions/valuesRecognizing community heterogeneityLinking climate action to an expanded list of co-benefits

Tapping into broad geographic networksWord-of-mouth campaignsAddressing green social stigmaCreating/supporting green demo sites

OVERLAPPING STRATEGIES: LITERATURE* & FIELD MUSEUM RESEARCH

*From Driving Demand and other academic literature on environmental behavior change


South Chicago Retrofit Project

From Research to Action



ADDITIONAL RESOURCES


For More Information, Visit Us on the Web

Additional Resources

fieldmuseum.org/explore/climate-action


Community Asset Maps Available Online




For questions or additional information, please contact JenniferHirsch, Urban Anthropology Director at The Field Museum: 312-665-7480 or [email protected].

©The Field Museum, ECCo, All Rights Reserved. For more information, visit http://fieldmuseum.org/explore/department/ecco

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