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- Christine Blais
Director of Sustainability and Environment
cblais@somervillema.gov
Cell: 781-296-7194
617-625-6600 ext. 2422 - Erik Larson
Energy Manager
elarson@somervillema.gov
Cell: 617-366-7286
617-625-6600 ext. 2424 - Emily Sullivan
Climate Change Program Manager
esullivan@somervillema.gov
Cell: 781-823-9248
617-625-6600 ext. 2426 - Elyse Belarge
Sustainability Planner
ebelarge@somervillema.gov
Cell: 781-823-9332
617-625-6600 ext. 2427 - Julia Damiano
Environmental Policy Manager
jdamiano@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 5070 - Naomi Gross
Community Engagement Specialist
ngross@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 2425
Cell: 857-274-2463 - Kathy Cole
Financial Analyst
kcole@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 2428 - Garrett Anderson
Residential Decarbonization Program Manager
ganderson@somervillema.gov
857-270-4403 - Josh Eckart-Lee
Sustainability Planner
jeckartlee@somervillema.gov
617-625-6600 ext. 2421
The OSE team works remotely from time to time, so please call their cell phones if you are unable to reach them at their office extensions.
Hours
Monday - Wednesday
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.Thursday
8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.Friday
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.Email
Address
City Hall Annex
50 Evergreen Ave.
Somerville, MA 02145 - Christine Blais
Community Health & Resiliency
Not everyone in Somerville will be impacted by climate change in the same way, or to the same degree. Climate change disproportionately affects marginalized communities in Somerville and perpetuates and exacerbates systems of inequality despite low-income and marginalized communities contributing the least to greenhouse gas emissions and climate pollution.
As Somerville builds its resiliency, incorporating principles of climate justice is vital. As Somerville works to strengthen our social and system infrastructure, individuals and communities can prepare for hazards like flooding and extreme heat to help ensure a safe, healthy, and resilient tomorrow.
As such, Community Health & Resilience is a key focus area in Somerville’s Climate Forward Plan. The Plan lays out the actions our community will take to prepare the community for the risks from climate change and ensure all residents have access to resources to meet their basic needs. Somerville is committed to building a resilient city where everyone can continue to thrive in the face of a changing climate.
Keep Cool Somerville
Climate projections show us that extreme heat is on its way, and hotter temperatures are already starting to arrive. Keep Cool Somerville is an initiative to improve community resilience to extreme heat. The initiative began in 2020 as a collaboration between the City of Somerville and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to address the health impacts of climate change.
The program recently awarded grants to help community members:
- Pay their utility bills
- Purchase A/C units
- Stay cool outside with cooling kits
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Flood Ready Somerville
Whether water is backing up your street or your basement is flooding more frequently, Somerville is here to help. Flood Ready Somerville is a municipal program designed to help educate and equip residents with the tools they need to identify and manage flooding effectively.
As sea levels continue to rise and we experience more frequent rainstorms, flooding becomes more and more of a threat to our homes, businesses, and institutions. Let the City help you become Flood Ready!
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City Alert Network
The City operates an emergency alert network which has over 70,000 subscribers and offers alerts in five languages. The system allows the City to quickly notify citizens of extreme weather or other emergencies.
Alert networks like Somerville's are vital to ensuring residents are prepared and ready for dangerous climate hazards like major hurricanes, blizzards, or flash floods.
Stay Safe. Be Resilient.
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- Learn tips for heat safety using Keep Cool Somerville
- Sign up for emergency alerts through the Somerville Alert Network
- Learn practical tips for dealing with flooding using Flood Ready Somerville
Check out SustainaVille, the home of Somerville’s climate action initiatives.
Programs & Initiatives
Join us to celebrate Somerville’s open spaces, engage with the City outside of formal meetings, and of course – enjoy some pizza.
The City of Somerville’s New Small Business Vitality Grant offers up to 12 months of rental support for physical storefronts, with a maximum of $50,000.
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