Climate Justice, Community Built Across Monterey Bay
Regional Context, Mission & Vision
The mission of the MBACJC is to center the voices of those most impacted by climate change in decision-making and ground partnerships in Indigenous learning and protocol so we can achieve better equity and climate outcomes for all and increase investment in under-resourced communities.
We live in, serve, and love the Monterey Bay Area, a recognized and mountain range-bounded region that includes San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. Shared across our region are diverse demographics and overwhelming housing-cost-to-income level disparities. Agriculture and tourism provide the economic heartbeat and a sense of pride and unity across the region; however, they are both climate change-vulnerable and share numerous equity issues such as labor rights, low wages, significant language barriers, and a lack of affordable housing and transportation.
The Challenge
The Monterey Bay Area region is already experiencing significant climate change impacts—drought, heavy rains, wildfires, extreme heat days—and is inadequately prepared to compete for climate state and federal funding commitments despite the fact that these grants require meaningful participation from frontline organizations.
our strategy
Our strategy is to build a broad, inclusive, cross-sector, functional network of organizations that joins, engages and inspires front-line communities to develop and implement climate change solutions, working equitably and collaboratively to share power in new ways.
communities of Focus
Across our region, farmworkers, immigrants, and low-income neighbors feel climate impacts first—from floods and wildfires to extreme heat.
The 27 Communities of Focus (CoF) we are building capacity with and for represent our greatest regional needs: 8 disadvantaged census tracts in the cities of Salinas, Watsonville, Marina, and the unincorporated community of Pájaro.
The Monterey Bay Area Climate
justice Collaborative (MBACJC) bridges community wisdom with agency resources to design solutions with, not for, the people most affected. Through consensus and peacemaking, we align partners to deliver equitable, scalable results
Our Origin & Evolution
The Foundation. Climate justice requires more than good intentions—it demands new ways of working. Our Collaborative began formation with a series of surveys, facilitated interviews and DEI trainings.
The Discovery. While initial research found minimal connection between the social service and climate sectors, every representative had formally partnered with at least one other group, building a web of trust connecting the agencies and CBOs and justice-climate sectors.
After the formation of the Collaborative in 2022, members strengthened relationships in monthly meetings and yearly collaboratives, and continue to partner to secure funding and policy gains to benefit our CoF.
Values & Operations
Land Acknowledgment
We honor the unceded lands and waters of the Ohlone, Costanoan, Amah Mutsun, Esselen, Rumsen/Rumsien, Salinan, Awaswas, Chalon, and Tamien Peoples. We commit to Indigenous-centered learning, relationship, and stewardship.
Our Values & Principles
• Equity, reciprocity, and respect
• Consensus decision-making with consent-based fallback
• Bilingual engagement (Spanish/English; Mixteco as needed)
• Learning mindset—humility, care, and accountability
• Leaderfull collaboration: power shared, not hoarded
Bilingual Mandate
We design for access: meetings in Spanish with English interpretation (or vice versa), Mixteco interpretation when needed, paid participation stipends, and plain-language tools that turn climate science into everyday action
Leadership & Governance
Our collaborative is non-hierarchical.
Two rotating Co-Chairs provide support in decision making; a Collaborative Manager (hosted at Regeneración) supports coordination. When conflict arises, we use
peacemaking to restore relationships and keep the work moving.
Our Collaborative Leadership.
We are a network of community organizations, tribal partners, public agencies, and advocates. Titles matter less than trust: we lift frontline leadership and make room for every voice to be heard.
join the MBACJC today!
Membership Responsibilities
Members of the MBACJC are all interested parties that commit to participating in at least 75% of regular meetings.
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Meeting Schedule: Generally held monthly (approved each January), with 1–3 in-person meetings per year to build trust.
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Stipends & Dues: There are currently no dues required. Members representing marginalized communities may request compensation/stipends for attendance
