The African Nova Scotian Climate Justice Ambassadors Program: Project Report
Black communities face disproportionate exposure to the impacts of climate change and are often underrepresented in discussions and actions addressing these challenges. The African Nova Scotian Climate Justice Ambassadors Program aims to address the underrepresentation of African Nova Scotians in climate change discussions and actions, despite their heightened vulnerability to its impacts. This is the report of the project.
This report of the project, The African Nova Scotian Climate Justice Ambassadors Program, was led by the ENRICH Project and funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change. The project began in 2024 and will conclude in 2027.
Black communities face disproportionate exposure to the impacts of climate change and are often underrepresented in discussions and actions addressing these challenges. This project aims to address the underrepresentation of African Nova Scotians in climate change discussions and actions, despite their heightened vulnerability to its impacts.
As part of this project, workshops were held in 13 African Nova Scotian communities in 2024 to engage residents in discussions on climate change preparedness, climate resilience, and climate justice. In 2023, the ENRICH project led a project funded by the Sustainable Communities Challenge Fund that involved similar workshops held in 12 African Nova Scotian communities. Therefore, workshops on climate change have now been held in a total of 25 African Nova Scotian communities.
The primary goal of the African Nova Scotian Climate Justice Ambassadors Program is to collaborate with the project funder the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change and key partners—including African Nova Scotian Western Service Providers Network, the Association of Black Social Workers, CLIMAtlantic, How We Thrive, African Nova Scotian Affairs, and HalifACT—to enhance climate change preparedness across 13 African Nova Scotian communities. The workshops were designed to:
- Assess participants’ awareness and knowledge of climate change and preparedness strategies.
- Provide opportunities for participants to share personal experiences of how climate change has impacted them, their families, and their communities.
- Facilitate discussions on the social, economic, and mental health impacts of climate change.
- Conduct interactive simulation exercises that encourage solution-oriented dialogue on addressing climate impacts, emergencies, and building climate resilience.
The next phase of this project will involve 12 monthly online modules that will further develop African Nova Scotian residents’ skills in preparing for and addressing climate change impacts.
Full Report Here: Workshop Report for ANS Cimate Justice Project
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