If you missed our previous update, you can catch up on who’s involved and what took place in Module 1 of the Climate Change Academy here. To quickly recap, representatives from three community based groups; Badilisha Mtaa from Kiambiu, BRICS from MotherLand and Kinyago United from Kinyago, began their journey exploring climate change concepts, community strengths & weaknesses and imagining possible future flooding and extreme heat events to help communities prepare and make better choices today. Building on that foundation, these dedicated community members have now successfully completed Module 2: making maps that show areas at risk from climate problems like floods and extreme heat.
Over three days, the participants gained practical skills to identify & analyze climate related problems caused by people’s activities, like pollution, poor drainage or cutting down trees. These activities then increase risks like flooding and extreme heat in communities. The local community based groups are working together to identify and mark areas that flood and examining which people or places are most at risk from extreme heat. Want to know what they found? They found flood-prone areas missing from official maps and very hot spots with little to no trees. This information is important because it helps us know where to plant trees and create green spaces to reduce flooding and extreme heat.
Module 2 was more than just collecting data. It helped people understand their neighborhood in a new way and gave them knowledge to plan for the future based on what really happens around them. The community worked together to check the maps and make sure they were correct. This teamwork helped everyone feel responsible and ready to take action. What’s next? In Module 3, participants will visit real projects that are already helping people and learn how to use those ideas in their own neighborhoods. Want to follow this exciting journey? Stay with us as we share more stories about building stronger communities that can handle climate change challenges; flooding and extreme heat.
Climate change is a challenge we can overcome together, starting with communities that are informed and ready to act.