Document Type
Policy Brief
Publication Date
6-2025
Abstract
Climate change has been on the global agenda for decades now, whether that is through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the annual Conference of the Parties summits, or varying regional agreements across the world. Policy suggests that global cooperation will address the increasing natural disasters and rising temperatures, but new initiatives are challenging this traditional model of climate change solutions. One of these emerging, innovative solutions are Neighborhood Resilience Hubs. As we know, climate change disproportionately affects historically marginalized communities, especially BIPOC and low-income populations. In Santa Clara, Neighborhood Resilience Hubs offer a path forward by empowering local communities who are disproportionally affected to lead climate preparedness efforts. These hubs serve as community-designed and operated centers that offer resources such as cooling shelters, emergency supplies, and community-building programs. Despite being part of the city of Santa Clara’s Climate Action Plan, no resilience hubs currently exist in the city. This policy brief presents the case for launching a pilot resilience hub program by leveraging best practices from other California cities and supporting these efforts with local partnerships and funding.
Recommended Citation
Urzua-Gutierrez, Yasmin, "Redirecting Power into the Hands of Communities through Neighborhood Resilience Hubs" (2025). Silicon Valley Power Sustainable Futures Program. 9.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/svpsfp/9
