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Somerville Climate Ambassadors


The Somerville Climate Forward Ambassador program is designed to empower Somerville residents to take action on climate change in their community.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to learn something new, get more involved in your community, become a local leader, or meet new people, consider applying to become a Climate Forward Ambassador.

“I feel much more empowered to take action now, plus I feel more connected to the community.” - 2019 Climate Forward Ambassador

Contact Information
Hannah Payne
Sustainability Coordinator
Phone Number
x
2422

Employee Directory

Apply to be a 2024 Ambassador!
 

To apply, please fill out this application form

​​Somerville residents aged 16 or older are invited to apply.

Application Form

2024 Climate Ambassadors Flyer

About the Program

In 2019, the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) launched the Climate Forward Ambassador Program. The program was identified in Climate Forward, our climate action plan. Our goal is to educate residents about climate change and increase the community’s capacity to engage in climate action. 

Following participation in the program, Ambassadors will be better equipped:  

  • Engage in discussions and decisions about climate change and environmental justice 
  • Know how to assess the importance and impact of various climate actions within the city 
  • Engage in City-led climate programs and projects 
  • Inspire, motivate, and encourage other residents to take action 


Who Can Become an Ambassador?  

Ambassadors are selected through an application process. Any resident of Somerville – 16 years and older – is welcome to apply. No prior knowledge about climate change is required. The 2024 program will be for a small group of about 35 Somerville residents. 

2024 Ambassadors will receive a $400 stipend for participating in program. Dinner will be provided for in-person meetings.   
 

Meeting Schedule

Meetings will be interactive include both in-person meetings and webinars. Meetings will not be offered in a hybrid format. In-person meetings will be primarily dedicated to small group discussions, activities, and project work. 

 


2024 Ambassadors meeting schedule

Date Time  Meeting Type  Tentative Topic
Saturday, January 20  10am-2pm  In-person  Introduction and Climate Overview 
Thursday, February 8 6-7pm  Webinar Buildings & Energy
Thursday, February 15 6-7pm  In-person  Buildings & Energy
Thursday, March 7 6-7pm  Webinar Transportation & Mobility 
Thursday, March 14  6-8:30pm  In-person  Transportation & Mobility 
Thursday, April 4  6-7pm  Webinar Natural Resources & Waste 
Thursday, April 11  6-8:30pm  In-person  Natural Resources & Waste 
Thursday, May 2  6-7pm Webinar Community Health & Resiliency  
Thursday, May 9 6-8:30pm  In-person  Community Health & Resiliency  
Thursday, June 6  6-8:30pm In-person  Final Celebration 

 

Participant Expectations 

Ambassadors will... 

  • Participate in the full process: all meetings, including the public celebration. 
  • Engage in respectful group conversations. 
  • Do 1-1.5 hours or less of homework between meetings. 
  • Do one project of their choosing in Somerville. This could be holding a small group discussion with neighbors, doing an art project, writing a blog post, engaging in volunteer work, engaging on a policy topic, or any other related project. It could be done collectively. 
  • Present final projects and participate in the public celebration.

 

Ambassador Projects

To complete the Climate Forward Ambassadors program, participants complete a project focused on taking action on the climate crisis in their own lives and communities. Participants are encouraged to pursue a project that allows them to explore a climate topic that they are interested in learning more about and to engage with others to spread awareness and interest in climate action. Projects have ranged from engaging family and friends in a climate conversation to creating art about climate change, to doing a mini-research project.  

Here are some examples of creative projects that Ambassadors have developed: 

Family wearing bike helmets and Halloween costumes

Sarah Connolly brought together a group of families to learn about biking safely with kids and to encourage her friends to try it out. 

Smiling SHS student holds up outreach material

Britney Flores talked to her family and fellow Somerville High School students about what sustainable changes they could make in their lives. 

SHS student stands next to her crochet project, showing colorful temperature changes over time

Kelly Lockhart crocheted a visual display of local average annual temperatures to show how the local climate has warmed over time.

Questions?

Contact Emily Sullivan, Climate Change Program Manager, at esullivan@somervillema.gov.

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