Jamesine Rogers Gibson

If you’re thinking about the social determinants of health then you must be thinking about the climate health nexus. Here are some reflections from my time working on Primary Health and climate related work in the last few years. With wildfires sweeping through New York and New Jersey, I've been thinking about how changes in our environment affect not just our health, but less intuitively, our institutions. Like many, I check the weather app each morning to make simple decisions about what to wear to work. But beyond these daily choices, we're seeing profound impacts ripple through society. The evidence is already stark: Just a single day of wildfire exposure can increase pre-term births among pregnant women. Heat waves claim the lives of our elderly neighbors. This year alone, floods have devastated communities across the country. When we widen our lens, we see even broader effects: shifting patterns of infectious diseases, rising rates of asthma from air pollution, and civil tensions sparked by forced migration and border pressures. What's hiding in plain sight is not just how climate change will affect our physical infrastructure, social support structures, and policies, but also how it might reshape our most fundamental institutions: religion, democracy, and our entire economic system. These pillars of society, which we often think of as immutable, may prove surprisingly vulnerable to environmental upheaval. I’m not sure if this is for better or for worse but I do know that this is an opportunity. I think that our first line of defense against these cascading effects is primary care for those who need it the most. When primary care physicians can monitor and address the health impacts of environmental changes in real-time, they make critical impacts in the lives of those most affected and create a crucial feedback loop. Their observations of increasing heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, or mental health challenges become early warning signals for our institutions. This ground-level health surveillance, combined with preventive care, doesn't just protect individual well-being; it provides the data and human stories that drive institutional adaptation. Our democratic institutions cannot respond effectively to climate challenges if we can't measure their impact on our most vulnerable citizens. Our religious institutions cannot maintain their communities if their members are physically displaced or debilitated by environmental illness.  Strong primary care isn't just about treating symptoms – it's about maintaining the human capacity to sustain and adapt our fundamental institutions. How we treat the environment is how we treat our bodies and how we treat our bodies is how we treat the environment and superstructure that governs our decisions and identities. 

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The SBTi just published an evidence review that pretty comprehensively trashes carbon credits: "[V]arious types of carbon credits are ineffective in delivering their intended mitigation outcomes." "There could be clear risks to corporate use of carbon credits for the purposes of offsetting. This includes potential unintended effects of hindering the net-zero transformation and/or reducing climate finance." "All Tier A evidence challenge the legitimacy of offsetting claims, arguing that treating carbon credits as fungible with other sources, sinks, or reductions of emissions is inadvisable, illogical, or damaging to global mitigation goals." https://lnkd.in/eJfTuPyD

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I know a lot of folks are itching for climate events to attend post election and ways to get more involved in their community. Here are some local and virtual events you can attend this week: San Francisco • “Collective Comfort: Airing on Possibilities” Reception - Thursday, Nov 21 · 6 - 8pm PST All about climate resilient design in extreme desert climates. •Climate Tech Action Network (CTAN) 1.5C Presents: AgTech for Climate - Thursday, November 21 · 6 - 9pm PST New York • Urban Tech Summit 2024 – Intelligence for Climate Adaptation - November 19 · 10am - November 20 · 5pm EST • ISRM Technologies Urban Resilience & Major City Management - Tuesday, December 3 · 9am - 4:30pm EST Virtual • How to have conversations about climate change By Larger Us - Monday, November 18 · 10am - 12pm PST • Climate Cafe® - Thursday, November 21 · 4 - 5pm PST • Elections in the Climate Crisis: How Extreme Weather Impacts Democracy by Grist - Tuesday, November 19 · 11am - 12pm PST • To the End Film Screening - November 20 · 9:01pm - November 23 · 8:59pm PST Which event are you most excited about? Or do you have any other upcoming climate events we should know about? What other cities do you want to see? Drop them in the comments! #ClimateAction #Sustainability #ClimateEvents #GreenFuture #ClimateChange #GetInvolved

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Significant reading for all you remaining voluntary carbon market enthusiasts. #carboncredits What we need is not voluntary compensation efforts but mandatory prices on all types of ghg emissions, by way of simple, fair, and effective regulation. #climateincentive Many thanks Simon Evans for pointing out the essence of the findings reported by the Science Based Targets initiative.

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There is no "one size fits all" solution for the climate transition, but we have a powerful playbook. This is how I would summarize several of the major takeaways from last week's "Clean Power to the People: An Evening with Local Environmental Justice Leaders" in Oakland organized by YPE SF Bay Area. A few synthesized highlights from across panelists Allie Detrio (Reimagine Power), Jessica Guadalupe Tovar (Local Clean Energy Alliance), Mari Rose Taruc (California Environmental Justice Alliance), ​Espe Vielma (Coalition of Environmental Equity and Economics), and ​Travis Gibrael, MSW (Reclaim Our Power Utility Justice Campaign) (Moderator): 💦 Environmental justice (EJ) must be enacted locally to be achieved globally. EJ requires asking, for example, "Who is the community we are trying to transition?" and responding according to unique sets of needs. 🍃 A just transition means not sacrificing communities of people in the name of "progress." We must constantly assess our work as individuals and organizations to ensure we do not unwittingly reproduce environmental injustice as we transition away from fossil fuels. 💦 There is (still) a huge disconnect between policy makers and those impacted by new policies. Caring about democracy and procedural justice means expanding our efforts to channel community voices into public decision-making spaces — with the most important voices being those of community members most impacted by environmental harms and/or for whom new "green" or "clean" technologies prove inaccessible or harmful. 🍃 Climate justice is social justice is better health is a Free Palestine. It's all connected. We must center the coherent set of values that allow us simultaneously to pursue racial equity and justice, ecological restoration and protection, and indigenous liberation — and to recognize the abundant "nonenergy" benefits that come with a just transition. Complexity can overwhelm, but it also empowers and creates diverse in-roads for participating in problem-solving. Because it is a call to action, I love the Climate Justice Alliance's assertion: "Transition is inevitable. Justice is not." The transition to a new energy future will not be just unless we ensure it is. We have a multitude of entry points as individuals and organizations for propelling a just transition. In Espe's words, "The energy transition has to be now" — so we all must take a page from the playbook and get to work. 💫 #JustTransition #ActonClimate #EnvironmentalJustice #FreePalestine

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On the heels of announcing how San Francisco has reduced citywide emissions by nearly half, I am excited to share that the San Francisco Environment Department has been awarded a $1 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to bolster climate action in our city’s most vulnerable communities. This significant funding is a leap forward in our mission to ensure a sustainable and equitable future for all San Franciscans. San Francisco's climate ambitions and successes are driven by the belief that true progress starts at the community level. By empowering local neighborhoods and fostering strong partnerships, we aim to create enduring and impactful climate solutions. This new EPA grant funds will be redirected and support local community organizations to: 🌞 Expand access to renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies 🌱 Enhance community resilience to climate impacts 🤝 Forge strong partnerships to co-create solutions Equity and environmental justice are at the core of our climate action plan. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, enjoys the benefits of a healthy environment and a resilient community. A huge thank you to my team and our community partners (as always) for successfully applying for and winning this grant. Together, we’re going to continue to set an example for others by pushing the boundaries and working towards an equitable and sustainable future! 🌍💚 #ClimateAction #Sustainability #environmentaljustice #SanFrancisco #Bayarea

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Food can be a climate solution! I'm excited to share Friends of the Earth U.S. new report showing how healthy, climate-friendly, plant-based school lunches have increased 60% in California over the past 5 years. Half of California's largest school districts are reducing their climate footprint by serving plant-based options every day at lunch. California is once again leading the way with scalable climate change solutions that also deliver benefits for health, given that most kids get only 2% of the fiber and less than 10% of the amount of plant-based foods recommended for a healthy diet. What kind of plant-based options are California schools serving? Last year, CA's 25 largest school districts featured over 100 plant-based items in one month, adding more than 40 new delicious, culturally diverse, and plant-based options to their menus (many whole-plant based). Beyond plant-based, Friends of the Earth also links school districts with producers of local, #organic and regeneratively grown animal products and we are seeing a growing demand for these as well! Why are plant-based school meals growing? It's a combination of state policy, growing student demand, support from school food nutrition directors and technical assistance from many wonderful organizations: Friends of the Earth U.S., Chef Ann Foundation, Eat Real Certified, LunchAssist, Center for Ecoliteracy, Center for Good Food Purchasing, The Humane Society of the United States and many others. Increased student demand for plant-based food is also helping to drive more #plantbased school food. Students know what they eat has a huge impact on the climate. Many of them are also unable to process lactose & they deserve food and beverages that are healthy for them to consume. Our report also found that in one year from 2022-2023, California schools reduced processed meat lunch options by 25% and GHG intensive dairy options by a whopping 54%. Please spread the word and read our report here: https://lnkd.in/gbDRFYWp #ClimateFriendlySchoolFood #dietshift #ClimateSolutions #ClimateWeekNYC

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Echoing Green announces the launch of the Signal Fund, a financial tool that provides capital to social innovators at critical growth stages. Signal launches with $15.6 million raised and prioritizes founders with overlooked potential for scalable social impact. Signal Fund aims to test a new set of financial mechanisms and model more broadly accessible investment vehicles that can help fuel transformational social change and innovation globally. It will disrupt the current funding landscape that is misaligned with the needs of social innovators. “In the current economic climate, fundraising for entrepreneurs has become increasingly difficult,” said Echoing Green President, Cheryl L. Dorsey. “Through Signal Fund, we are strengthening and de-risking a new pipeline of social innovators — ones that we believe will expand the set of leaders who are too often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy and financial institutions. This fund can help proven social innovators move past the proverbial valley of death that so many start-ups face, achieving organizational milestones recognizable to traditional investors without compromising impact.” #YesWeInnovate https://lnkd.in/dgfjDqAd

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For those interested in collaborative climate-action I highly recommend the Tamarack Institute's recent publication: “10 - A Guide to Advancing Climate Equity through Placed-Based Collaboration”.  It contains 10 of each of the following topics: questions to assess readiness, great ideas, inspiring stories, useful resources and ways to get started. Based on my years of experience with collaborative approaches this guide shares very valuable insights. I particularly liked the lessons learned encapsulated in the Foreword: “We’ve found that collaboratives need to be built on a foundation of trust between diverse groups, including trusting that others will follow through on commitments and recognizing that each partner may take action in unique but equally valid ways. We’ve learned that successful partnerships benefit from one group that ‘anchors’ the project and keeps momentum going, while supporting coordination across partners. And our experience has shown that collaboration takes time, both to execute projects and to ensure broad and inclusive participation. We are creatures of habit, and until we get used to collaborating, we can fail to see the opportunities that are open to us; yet, like a muscle, collaboration skills get stronger with use.” https://lnkd.in/gAXvz9tN #Tamarackinstitute #communityengagement #climatejustice

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As a Forum Board Trustee, I’m excited to see the section on business climate finance in Forum for the Future and B Lab U.S. & Canada’s recently co-published Business Guide to Advancing Climate Justice!   Along with this discussion around business climate finance, the guide explores four critical insights identified for the private sector to consider as it works to advance climate justice, including: 🤝prioritizing trust-building with frontline communities 💡adopting a new mindset 🌻offering immediate and sustained support to meet frontline community needs 🍀considering spheres of control and influence   #AmericanClimateFutures #ClimateJustice #Report #Business #Guide #EarthMonth #SustainableBusiness #JustandRegenerative #JustTransition

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Winning durable change requires a policy platform that tackles the root causes of domestic economic insecurity and global instability. Progressive movements, labor unions, and allied politicians must offer a toolkit of climate policies that link kitchen table issues to structural changes in political economy and the compounding climate emergency. Climate and Community Institute just put out our new platform, "Seize the Future: A bold, progressive climate agenda for 2024 and beyond." We see four crucial areas of intervention in the years to come: 1. Tackling the cost of living crisis: Strengthening the social safety net is more important than ever as we navigate the impacts of the climate crisis and and transition to a greener economy. 2. Supplying good jobs & infrastructure: Zero-emissions energy, transportation, and buildings are all feasible—we must build them at speed and scale, with strong public institutions and planning, to manage the transition to a decarbonized future. 3. Ending forever wars: The US should pivot foreign policy away from funding militarization to focus on peace and resource provision to climate vulnerable communities. 4. Preventing disasters & protecting migrant safety: Extreme weather and climate disasters are destroying infrastructure and displacing communities -- we must adopt equitable mitigation policies for people in the US and abroad. You can read the whole platform here: https://lnkd.in/eJCirWWm

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#climatetech - save this list

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ClimateWorks Foundation 2024 Funding Trends Report just dropped. In 2023, climate philanthropy hit a turning point, surging past $9 billion—a 20% jump from 2022—and outpacing overall philanthropic growth for the first time. Foundations led the charge, 3x more contributions over 4 years to reach $4.8 billion in 2023. Clean electricity, forests, and food systems remained top priorities, while fast-rising areas like super pollutants and sustainable finance gained traction. Public engagement emerged as the most-funded enabling strategy, signaling the growing importance of collective action. Yet, disparities persist. While funding to Africa, Asia, and Latin America grew by as much as 220%, 60% still flowed to the U.S. and Europe. The report calls for deeper, longer-term investments in regions and sectors with untapped potential, from Brazil’s pivotal role ahead of COP30 to the underfunded push for industrial decarbonization. The message is clear: philanthropy must go bigger and smarter—collaborate more, commit to multi-year funding, and scale solutions that match the speed of the crisis. The window is narrowing and we know the politics are tough but with decisive action, this could be the philanthropic moment we've been waiting for. https://lnkd.in/eYPEj9Cb

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ABOUT THE BIPARTISAN SENATE CLIMATE SOLUTIONS CAUCUS We each acknowledge our climate is changing, human activity is contributing, and Congress must play a central role in developing strategies for mitigation and adaptation. We affirm that bipartisan action on climate must strengthen American competitiveness and international leadership while protecting and promoting the economic interests of all Americans. We know that Republicans, Democrats, and Independents can find common ground on climate solutions. The Climate Solutions Caucus will consider and discuss a wide variety of topics in the context of policy solutions to address our changing climate. These topics may include, but are not limited to:  Promoting affordable energy and environmental protection through research and innovation in clean and advanced technologies, such as carbon capture and energy storage. Encouraging energy efficiency through strategies for the private sector, non-profit organizations, and federal, state, and local government. Addressing the unique needs of specific sectors such as manufacturing or transportation. Sequestering or reducing emissions through reforestation, agricultural practices, and conservation. Strategies to promote resiliency and adaptation to the effects of our changing climate. Coordinating actions between federal, state, and local government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector. Working collaboratively with other nations, in particular major emitting economies, to take meaningful actions to address this global issue. Crafting policies that meaningfully reduce emissions while also creating 21st century jobs and ensuring that no American is left behind. We at The Dandy Horse, Inc. thank you all for using common sense and for doing what is right! Christopher Coons Senator Mike Braun Jeanne Shaheen Senator Mitt Romney Senator Angus S. King, Jr. Senator Lisa Murkowski Senator Mike Bennett Us Senator Lindsey Graham Senator Debbie Stabenow Marco Rubio Senator Tammy Baldwin U.S. Senator Susan Collins Senator Jacky Rosen Consider this #VIDAT The Transportation CO2 #Avoidance Credit Act A Circular and Sustainable Economy geared towards a Greener, Safer Bicycle Infrastructure for Commuting #Verified #Transportation CO2 Avoidance Credits, implemented as an incentive to support the funding of current and local bicycle infrastructure needs, to operate under a system known as Avoid and Reward. Reducing carbon emissions one bicycle at a time. A #bicycle commuter emits just 34 grams of #Co2 per mile. Any other mode of commuting emits more Co2 per mile. State bicycle policy officials are responsible for posting approved projects that necessitate financial support from companies within the transportation sector that operate within their respective jurisdictions. This provides Future Rights to all Transportation Co2 Avoidance Credits associated #ESG Trek Bicycle IBM Microsoft for Startups Sequoia Capital Fifth Wall

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What are your thoughts on the complexities of implementing renewable energy solutions in tribal communities? "Capacity development entails not only funding projects but also funding people, especially tribal energy champions, whose boots on the ground are essential for addressing inequities in energy distribution." ▶ Environmental injustices have left a legacy of skepticism towards large projects. ▶ Often, smaller-scale solutions like solar meet the community's needs without the complexities of larger projects. ▶ Essential needs, such as public health infrastructure often take precedence.

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Last night was a tough loss for the Presidency and the Senate, but I wanted to offer some words of encouragement. I’ve been an environmental policy consultant through many administrations and California always does some of its best climate work when our back is up against the wall. We’ve never had strong federal legislation on climate so the work has largely been done through states and that will continue going forward with even more importance now. I know a lot of you are saddened right now, but keep pushing for progress in your states and local governments because that’s where a lot of the real work and real change lives! 🌎🌱 #VoteForThePlanet #ThinkGloballyActLocally #ClimateAction

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