Climate Equity
Over the past decade, Eastside Community Network has built a reputation as a leader in the urban climate resilience space — focusing our efforts on policy advocacy, infrastructure development, and community education that promotes climate resiliency and equitable climate change strategies in Detroit.
Our Work
Eastside Climate Action Coalition
Since 2019, the Eastside Climate Action Coalition has steered ECN’s climate equity efforts. The group consists of east side residents, city and state officials, and technical experts from across Detroit. Monthly meetings serve to advance the conversation and guide the work being done by the Climate Equity staff.
ECN Resilience Hub
Eastside Community Network is converting our headquarters at 4401 Conner St into a resilience hub that will support residents dealing with various climate change issues. The resilience hub will include solar panels and battery storage to provide energy resilience against power outages and extreme weather events; as well as stormwater management and other infrastructure improvements to support resiliency during and after climate events. The center will maintain resources and partnerships with organizations and institutions that increase the climate resiliency of our community and provide direct support to residents.
In addition to these climate resilience aspects, our re-imagined headquarters will also take a holistic approach for people’s well-being -- serving as a Wellness Hub for the community. Learn more.
Hamilton Rainscape Learning Lab
Officially opened on June 19th, 2019 (Juneteenth) the Hamilton Rainscape Learning Lab is a beautiful outdoor space where community members can gather and learn about stormwater issues and how they affect our climate resiliency. Located at the intersection of Newport and Southampton streets, across from Hamilton Academy, the outdoor learning lab hosts events and programs provided by ECN and teachers at the school.
Selected for the 2019 Detroit Design 139 Exhibition, the space also hosts field trips for organizations and groups seeking to highlight our work and/or learn more about climate resilience infrastructure in our community.
LEAP Sustainability Fellowship
Implemented in partnership with the Community Organizing & Planning Department, the LEAP Sustainability Fellowship builds the capacity of resident leaders who are interested in developing their own climate sustainability projects for the community. Throughout the 1-year training and development program, fellows work to create a shared definition of sustainability and community leadership - and create projects that align with those definitions. Fellows receive stipends and are eligible for grants to fund their projects.
Good Stock Offsite GSI Study
In partnership with the Detroit Collaborative Design Center, the Good Stock Steering Committee, Detroit Water & Sewage Department, Great Lakes Environmental Law Center, InSite Design Studio, and Zachary and Associates — ECN has developed a set of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) policy recommendations for the Good Stock community.
This feasibility study describes how the city of Detroit can promote offsite stormwater drainage to renew low density neighborhoods — improving vacant land in those empty communities. Through the study, a set of policy recommendations and conceptual GSI designs were developed to steer future developments.
Climate Equity Policy Advocacy
Eastside Community Network is committed to ensuring that local policies prioritize climate equity and resilience for our communities. Our Climate Equity Policy Advocacy currently focuses on the following priorities:
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Community Compost
Community Solar
Air Quality
Equity and Sustainability
Electric Vehicle Carshare
ECN’s Electric Vehicle Car Share is a membership-based service that provides residents with access to an electric vehicle (EV) at a low-cost, hourly or daily rental rate. Our mission is to provide climate friendly, accessible and affordable transportation options to the community.
Community Mobility Grant Program
The Community Mobility Grant Program awards up to $10,000 grants to resident-identified community mobility projects on Detroit’s eastside that (1) reduce pollution and/or offer climate friendly transportation options, (2) contribute to Eastside Community Network’s equitable and resilient neighborhood initiatives, and (3) contribute to safe and accessible transportation solutions.