In the Duwamish Valley, an area vulnerable to sea level rise, air pollution, extreme flooding and heat events, the City of Seattle and community-based organizations are looking to residents to guide the policies that support climate resilience, break down systemic inequities, and protect Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the community. Guided by adaptation strategies from New Zealand and land capture and sustainable funding models from Brazil, the Duwamish Valley Resilience District will transform a City program into a community-driven collaborative that prioritizes environmental, health, and social justice.

Seattle is one of the six US cities that have received funding ($3 million investment in grants) from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to foster global learning and lead innovative, community-driven approaches that mitigate the health and equity risks posed by climate change.