Reflections from a Climate Advisory Group Leader

Guest Blog Author: Darryl Franklin, Beekman Corridor Climate Advisory Group

This guest blog post from a partner organization or individual reflects the work and opinions of the author and does not reflect action taken by Green Umbrella staff or board.

In summer 2022, Groundwork Ohio River Valley and Green Umbrella hosted the Beekman Corridor Climate Advisory Group (CAG) in partnership with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability and Working in Neighborhoods. The CAG brought together 16 community leaders of all ages from the following neighborhoods: English Woods, Millvale, North Fairmount, South Cumminsville, and South Fairmount. The goals of the CAG are to raise awareness of climate impacts in our most vulnerable communities, create climate resilience plans, and engage community members in government climate planning. This project was led through the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Partnership, which is dedicated to centering underserved communities, equity, and justice in regional climate planning efforts in Greater Cincinnati.

I am Darryl Franklin. I have lived in North Fairmount since 1967. I am a Navy veteran, a retired sheet metal worker, and a musician. I served as North Fairmount Community Council President (1987-1992) and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Cincinnati. Most importantly, I am married and the father of four.

I attended my first Climate Advisory Group meeting full of skepticism, fully expecting a lot of talk and little or no action. I was pleasantly surprised to find a more than competent group of leaders/organizers who not only have plans, but also have a track record of successful community involvement. Their dedication to climate awareness has inspired me to commit to work toward climate remediation and resiliency, and to spread the word that climate change affects us all, and we can all do our part to save our planet. I believe this group’s efforts can, and will, bring organizations and communities together to promote neighborhood climate resiliency.

The City of Cincinnati’s Green Cincinnati Plan, which our Climate Advisory Group work has informed, has six focus areas: 1) Natural Environment, 2) Food, 3) Buildings and Energy, 4) Zero Waste, 5) Advocacy and Outreach, and 6) Mobility. Together they form the framework for developing a comprehensive approach to community involvement in recognizing, understanding, and acting to confront climate change. Community members, volunteers, and activists collaborate with Green Cincinnati Plan organizers to develop climate resiliency strategies that are designed for each neighborhood.

As a resident of the Beekman Street Corridor, I am currently the liaison for the Zero Waste Subcommittee. Our goal is to bring awareness to composting, recycling, reusing, and reducing waste to zero. My hope is that my friends and neighbors become aware of the services available to assist our community in creating and implementing our Climate Resiliency Plan that is effective, equitable, and sustainable.