Harnessing the Perfect Storm

A Timely Call for Addressing Community-based Challenges in Innovative Ways to Drive Inclusive Progress

As we stand at the crossroads of undeniable climate change, the pervasive impact of a global pandemic, a divisive political climate that threatens democracy and the social contract, confusion on how to distribute the windfall of government funding to mend infrastructure, and a major shift in technology and the ethics of its use, a perfect storm of challenges and opportunities has emerged. This convergence demands careful, but immediate action if we are to ensure that our communities are resilient enough to weather the turbulence and able to survive the environmental, economic, and social turmoil underway.

The issues aren’t new: mental illness & homelessness, racial tension and gun violence, economic and workforce uncertainty, the politics and impact of fossil fuel use, threats to basic rights we thought were unalienable. Neither is the fact that they disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities, exacerbating existing social and economic disparities. 

To counter this, we must look to the communities themselves. Achieving long-term resilience requires empowering local leaders in their communities to brainstorm solutions, prioritize the funding, and inspire the determination to make change happen. Early and frequent community engagement is critical and includes outreach, workshops, and other interactions that embody cultural sensitivity and respect.

It’s all about listening to learn what keeps people up at night.

In an environmental crisis, for example, do members of different communities know who to contact, where to go, and how to get there? Again, engagement is vital to developing solutions that reflect diverse needs — whether based on cultural or gender identity, age, physical or mental limitations, language ability, or other factors. When it comes to finding solutions to community-based challenges, one size does not fit all.

Our previous blog post on the Community Hierarchy of Needs highlights the ordered steps that must be established  – from the basics of food, water, housing, and safety to the more complex elements for regenerative civic pride – to create fully  connected and resilient communities. 

In the US, the federal government's $1.3 trillion infrastructure funding was allocated to states by a bipartisan agreement to help tackle these issues. It’s true that our physical infrastructure is crumbling, but our digital infrastructure suffers from gaping holes in availability and affordability. Broadband is not a luxury. If we learned anything during the pandemic it’s just how critical internet connectivity has become to most communities. And those most impacted by the gaps were those who needed it most: low-income families in urban settings as well as those in rural and tribal areas that lack the infrastructure necessary for reliable, affordable high-speed connectivity. Ensuring that uninterrupted access is available to all is the foundation for equity, progress, and even democracy. 

New technologies, such as smart city Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, artificial intelligence, machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, to name a few, show promise in helping identify solutions that help communities thrive–if they are used ethically (more on this in another blog post).  By putting innovative solutions in place, data and resources can be used in new ways. This might include better transportation and mobility trip planning, more effective use of lighting and fuel resources, adaptive education and training tools, and many more innovations not yet envisioned. 

Let's harness this perfect storm to create a better future. By combining infrastructure funding, community engagement, and technological innovation, and action to address climate change concerns head on, we can build more resilient, equitable, and thriving communities for all.