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Climate-sensitive hazards, including extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and rising sea levels, can jeopardize the health of all populations. However, certain population groups are more vulnerable to harm from these hazards. While youth–particularly those from historically marginalized groups and communities–are among those at the highest risk, their abilities may be underutilized in local climate adaptation efforts. This exploratory research aimed to identify opportunities for youth involvement in climate and environmental solutions in their historically marginalized communities. Specifically, this study (1) investigated youth risk perceptions and impacts of various climate-sensitive hazards (e.g. extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding, and sea level rise); (2) examined current barriers, resource needs, and opportunities for youth to engage in climate and environmental solution work; and (3) explored current methods and spaces where youth and community leaders can support youth-led climate-related initiatives. Through focus group discussions with youth and in-depth interviews with community leaders who are directly with youth, this study identified opportunities to leverage youth experiences, perceptions, and assets to promote a healthy and resilient community in the face of various compounding climate-related threats. Results showed that while youth recognize the changing climate and associated health impacts, they require more financial resources and support from local decision-makers to maintain their engagement and promote community resilience. Engaging youth in climate action and community resilience involves more than just centering youth voices and perspectives–it requires intentional collaboration, capacity-building, organizing, granting decision-making power, and other strategies to produce inclusive, intersectional, and sustainable solutions.
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This content will become publicly available on July 13, 2027
“It takes two to tango”: a qualitative study of cross-sectoral collaboration at the community-wildfire-energy interface in Alaska
Abstract The increasing frequency of wildfire-related power outages and energy infrastructure-related wildfires requires cross-sector collaboration. We aimed to characterize the roles and responsibilities, decision-making processes, and informational needs and sharing practices among cross-sector organizations, including how these differ between single-hazard and interacting hazard contexts and how social vulnerability is incorporated into operational decision-making. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 practitioners from electric utilities, fire and emergency management, infrastructure and transportation, and public health and health care organizations serving Alaska communities, at local, regional and statewide levels. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using inductive and deductive content and thematic analysis informed by systems thinking and complexity theory. Discussion centered on communication/coordination during response to wildfire or power outages as distinct hazards, with attention to their interactions primarily among sectors with direct operational experience. Three inter-related themes were identified: (1) hazard familiarity, sectoral roles and the limited integration of social vulnerability, (2) cross-sector interdependence in power outage and wildfire management, and (3) relational and structural conditions shaping coordination and collaboration. Despite growing interdependence among organizations, this did not consistently translate into cross-sector collaboration during planning and preparedness stages. New and compounding hazards may require new forms of collaboration among less familiar organizations and alignment around shared goals to safeguard public health. These findings highlight the need to move beyond reactive coordination during response toward more proactive collaboration in mitigation, prevention, and preparedness. Strengthening cross-sector engagement will require improved understanding of interdependence and the development of formal and informal relationships and is needed for achieving equitable energy resilience, particularly for socially vulnerable households.
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- PAR ID:
- 10709047
- Publisher / Repository:
- IOP Science
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Environmental Research: Health
- Volume:
- 4
- Issue:
- 3
- ISSN:
- 2752-5309
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 035002
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Power outage wildfire emergency management cross-sector collaboration energy
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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