This subpage addresses the critical issues of climate justice, equity, public health, and emergency management in Connecticut. Participants highlighted Connecticut’s unique position as a microcosm of nationwide concerns, characterized by notable disparities within a compact geographical area. Challenges such as a lack of coordinated initiatives to protect individuals from flooding and a reliance on individual homeowners and insurance claims were identified and criticized for deferring rather than resolving issues.

Moreover, discussions underscored the importance of building trust between emergency responders and community residents, emphasizing the need for reliable in-person information sources and overcoming language barriers in emergency communication. Concerns were raised about the lack of diversity among emergency management directors (EMDs) and the heavy reliance on volunteers for emergency response, particularly in rural areas. Gender disparities in climate change labor, including the roles of librarians versus EMDs, were also examined.

Specific challenges discussed encompassed the affordability of flood insurance, changes in FEMA’s flood vulnerability assessments, and issues with combined-sewer overflow systems (CSOs). Efforts to investigate the overlap between CSO sites and environmental justice communities were highlighted, though challenges in obtaining accurate information were acknowledged. Additionally, shortcomings in disaster planning frameworks, data discrepancies, and a lack of information flow between residents and response teams were identified.