Welcome to Climate Prep Week 2025!
For 2026, our theme recognizes the social and ecological issues impacted by climate change:
"Caring for the Earth, Yourself, and your Community!"
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Check out this map to see the events happening in your community!
Check out the central events hosted by CREW
Caring for Earth & Community: Take Action!
When? Wednesday, September 24, 12-12:45pm
Where? Virtually, on Zoom
REGISTER HERE: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tbtgEOLHT7Khvh8o2EcIPg
As unprecedented heat waves, storms of the century, and devastating fires impact cities across the country, the time to create climate resilient communities is now. While large-scale innovations in policy and technology are necessary to preserve the planet, the wisest and most lasting adaptation solutions originate at the local level. However, with something as large as the climate crisis, it can be hard for an individual or small group to know where to begin.
Join Cate Mingoya- LaFortune, Chief Officer of Climate Resilience and Land Use at Groundwork USA, as she lays out a hopeful and realistic roadmap for individuals and groups who want to calm their climate anxiety, boost climate preparedness, and move the needle towards environmental justice in a way that's realistic, sustainable, and fun.
Cate Mingoya-LaFortune serves as Groundwork USA's Chief Officer of Climate Resilience and Land Use, leading the work of the Climate, Land, and Water team. Cate is a people-centered climate adaptation planner, community organizer, educator, parent, and cautious optimist. Raised in an environmental justice neighborhood, she is committed to furthering a future where all people live in clean, thriving communities. She received a BA in biology from Reed College, a Master of Science Education from CUNY Lehman, and a Master of City planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is the author of the recently released book Climate Action for Busy People and was named a 2024 Grist Fixer.
When: Saturday, September 27th, 1:30pm
Where: Westside Riverway Park (181 Dewey Ave, Pittsfield, MA 01201)
Come to learn about climate impacts in your community and leave ready to take action!
In partnership with BEAT, 350 Mass Berkshire Node, Housatonic Valley Association, and Food & Water Watch, the Make Polluters Pay campaign is delighted to invite you to "Bridges to the Future." This educational forum is focused on the community impacts of climate change in western Massachusetts: highlighting the important work already underway, defining the roadblocks to deeper climate adaptation and resilience work throughout the region, and lifting up essential campaigns to remove these roadblocks including the Make Polluters Pay Bill. In addition to our community partners, we will be joined by Senator Mark and the Make Polluters Pay bill sponsors, Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Steve Owens.
Stone benches are available for seating under the pavilion at Westside Riverway Park but folx are encouraged to bring your own seating options to ensure optimal comfort! If you have accessibility needs, please email Rachael: [email protected]
When: Monday, September 29th, 6:00-8:15pm
Where: Somerville Central Library Auditorium (79 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA, 02143)
RSVP IS REQUIRED: Click here!
Join CREW for a viewing of The Lorax to help wrap up Climate Preparedness Week!
Join us for a viewing of The Lorax and a chance to connect with your fellow community members! CREW will provide resources on how to prepare for extreme weather and the opportunity to share how you care for the Earth and your community -- no matter how big or small! As the Lorax says, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
Light refreshments will be available!
Questions or ideas to share about Climate Prep Week? Contact CREW at [email protected].
Since 2018, CREW has hosted Climate Preparedness Week, marking a week of learning, service, and actions to better prepare our communities for extreme weather events and the effects of climate change. It's the last week of September, in connection with National Preparedness Month. With a diverse variety of community-oriented groups coming together to host events and raise awareness of extreme weather threats, we provide the resources and space to think about how climate change impacts everyone, and how it disadvantages some communities more than others.
We're excited to see you again at Climate Preparedness Week 2026!