Addressing Extreme Heat through Faithful Community Resilience

As extreme heat intensifies across the Carolinas, communities face rising energy costs, disproportionate health risks, and increasing pressure on local infrastructure. Faith-based organizations have long played a vital role in responding to crises in our region, providing critical support and advocating for systemic change. They are uniquely positioned to partner with others on advancing communities' heat resilience.

Join us for a public conversation exploring the intersection of faith, energy justice, and climate resilience. Hosted by Ashley Ward of Duke University's Heat Policy Innovation Hub, this conversation will feature Pastor Neil Bernard (New Wine Christian Fellowship), Angella Dunston (Warren County Environmental Action Team), and Reverend Leo Woodberry (Kingdom Living Temple and New Alpha Community Development).

The discussion will examine:

How faith-based communities are addressing extreme heat and energy poverty
The role of churches and community spaces as resilience hubs
Policy and financial solutions that connect local needs with industry and government action
The event is free and open to the public (registration is required). Space is limited-register now to be part of the conversation on building more resilient and equitable communities.

This public conversation-organized by the Ormond Center at Duke Divinity School and by the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability-is part of a project on Cooling Communities: Building Resilience to Extreme Heat, funded by a Duke University Environmental and Climate Justice in the Carolinas grant.