Events
Building a Climate-Resilient Community: Preparedness in a Time of Change. A conversation with Tanya Cabala
Date and Time
Wednesday, March 18, 2026 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location
Virtual
Description
Extreme weather is no longer an occasional disruption. It has become a regular stress test for our communities. When storms, flooding, heat, or power outages occur, the questions are not only what happened, but how prepared we were, who was most affected, and what practical steps can strengthen our communities going forward.
In this talk, environmental advocate and longtime West Michigan leader Tanya Cabala draws on more than three decades of experience, including fourteen years in local government and firsthand experience with recent storm impacts in the White Lake area. She explores what climate resilience actually looks like in practice, and why preparedness has become an essential part of community well-being.
The presentation clearly distinguishes between climate mitigation, which reduces future risk through large-scale policy and systems change, and climate adaptation and resilience, which reduces harm right now through planning, coordination, and care for people and infrastructure. While strong mitigation policies remain essential, communities also need practical tools to respond to the impacts already being felt.
Rather than focusing on abstract theory, this talk centers on real experience: what went well during recent extreme weather, what could have been better, and which essentials need to be in place before the next disruption. Drawing on both long-term community restoration efforts and present-day citizen-led initiatives, Cabala shows how meaningful change happens step by step—and how individuals, organizations, and communities can take action without being overwhelmed.
Participants will leave with a clear framework for understanding climate resilience and access to a practical, role-based action guide they can use now and revisit over time.
Contact
Global Climate Change Week