A Message From ASAP’s Executive Director – Strengthening Climate Adaptation Amid Uncertainty
Dear ASAP,
Over the past few weeks, we have all been trying to process how the new administration will impact the futures of our families, livelihoods and communities. Non-profit societies like ASAP are formed and informed by their members, individuals and collectives, who see the importance of advocating shared work and responsibility through relationships.
In my recent conversations and correspondence with members, I’ve felt a resounding passion to continue being guided by our core values and to intentionally adapt to what will be an uncertain landscape. As a senior leader in the field, ASAP has the responsibility to continue setting the standard for transformative climate adaptation practice and praxis.
Dr. Beverly Wright, who founded the Deep South Center for Environment Justice 30+ years ago, expresses sentiments that resonate through our greater community, “that DSCEJ’s commitment to environmental justice has remained constant during five presidential administrations and countless environmental statutes and policy shifts. We have known the hope of promises made, the joy of promises kept and the bitterness of promises broken. As we prepare to usher in a new presidential administration, the mission of DSCEJ remains constant and our commitment to overburdened environmental justice communities is unwavering.”**
Together with the newly elected Board of Directors, ASAP’s Staff is committed to our individual members, funders, partners, communities and grantors. We will use our existing resources prudently and, with your help, seek additional funding streams and new sources of support. I’m confident that our new Board of Directors will govern with transparency and strategic vision. These board members are your voice and will reflect what the American Society of Adaptation Professionals is now and will become.
The year 2025 holds both challenges and opportunities. ASAP will offer a series of briefings and seminars throughout the next quarter, previewing our workshop supporting the national Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (“TCTAC”) in St. Louis in April 2025. I encourage our peer learning and mentorship programming to actively share insights with the greater ASAP Community. MDPI is actively recruiting authors for a special issue of Climate, as well as ASAP’s participation in the International Conference on Advanced Remote Sensing – Shaping Sustainable Global Landscapes, March 26-28 in Barcelona, Spain.
Peace to all this season and beyond.
In gratitude,
Debra
**Dr. Beverly L. Wright is an award-winning environmental justice scholar, advocate, author, Founder and Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ), first environmental justice center in the United States. Dr. Wright was appointed to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council and created the first Blue Zone Climate Justice Pavilion 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). ASAP has partnered/supported and attended the DSCEJ HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Climate Change Conference since 2020. dscej.org
