CLIMATE ADAPTATION AS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY OPTIMISMS and CAUTIONS ON A FINITE PLANET
you working on climate solutions but struggling to navigate the complex landscape of adaptation planning, funding, and implementation in a world where resources are limited and stakes couldn't be higher?
The Climate Adaptation Reality: While greenhouse gas mitigation technologies receive much of the attention and investment, the reality on the ground is that unpreferred and life altering climate impacts are forcing populations to evaluate a disproportionate reality: Their way of life is threatend.
Why this matters: Communities worldwide are scrambling to adapt. Yet most adaptation efforts are not sustainable. Not because of poor intentions, but because maladaptation often zooms in without being mindful of systemic gaps in understanding financing mechanisms, cultural considerations, and long-term program sustainability.
As climate impacts accelerate, we can't afford maladaptation strategies that limit or forgo social equity, cultural heritage, and measurable outcomes.
Do you want to be apart of the climate adaptation solution?
Join Jason Sandman (Climate Solutions Expert and former Philadelphia Water Department Project Manager) for an intensive exploration of climate adaptation through a holistic lens, revealing proven approaches to building resilience that actually works:
Time & Date: August 25th @ 6pm CEST (12pm EDT)
Platform: Live here on Circle
What You'll Learn:
Climate Adaptation Through a Social Work Lens - Understanding adaptation as community-centered practice that prioritizes vulnerable populations and addresses systemic inequities
How we evaluate and react to emergencies, disasters, and catastrophies and why this practice must evolve.
Funding and Financing Adaptation - Navigating complex funding landscapes from federal infrastructure programs to community-based financing mechanisms
Cultural Heritage and Adaptation - Strategies for protecting and preserving cultural assets while building climate resilience in communities
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Programming Adaptation - A caution on legacy systems: how to measure adaptation success without perpetuating harmful frameworks
Professional Climate Adaptation Credentialing - Emerging certification and credentialing opportunities in the rapidly evolving climate adaptation field
Case study: Municipal Program Implementation - Real-world lessons from stormwater management and resident-centered program design
Policy: Justice40 and Equity Integration - Ensuring adaptation benefits reach disadvantaged communities through intentional program design
Systems Thinking for Finite Resources - Balancing optimism with realistic constraints on our finite planet
Who Should Attend:
This event is specifically designed for climate professionals working across sectors. With a concentration on those professionals with an interest in, or existing practice of, external-facing, population-specific climate adaptation-related services
Municipal and/or government staff developing or implementing adaptation plans
Non-profit leaders managing community resilience programs
Climate consultants seeking deeper adaptation expertise
Social workers and community organizers addressing climate impacts
Grant writers and program managers in the climate space
Anyone seeking to understand adaptation through an equity and justice lens
Why Attend:
Climate adaptation requires a fundamentally different approach than mitigation—one that centers community needs, cultural assets, and long-term resilience over short-term fixes. Jason will share insights from his extensive experience in municipal climate programs, federal grant review, and community-centered climate solutions.
4WARD's Strategic Climate Adaptation & Risk Advisory Services
Climate Adaptation & Risk Assessment - Strategic planning for climate resilience across sectors and scales
Corporate & Municipal Decarbonization - Evidence-based pathways to net-zero emissions with measurable outcomes
Sustainability Strategy & Implementation - Holistic approaches that integrate social equity, environmental justice, and economic viability
Grant Strategy & Development - Specialized support for climate funding opportunities including federal infrastructure programs
Community Engagement & Stakeholder Relations - Frameworks for meaningful participation in climate planning processes
Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Measurement - Systems for tracking progress and adaptive management
Learn more about 4WARD's strategic climate adaptation & sustainability advisory services
About Your Speaker:
Jason Sandman is a climate solutions expert with deep experience spanning municipal government, federal grant review, and community-centered climate initiatives. As a former Project Manager and Community Initiatives Specialist with the Philadelphia Water Department, Jason led city-wide residential green stormwater programs, managed contractor relationships exceeding $100,000, and served as spokesperson for complex stakeholder engagement processes. His federal experience includes merit review of DOE grant applications for battery manufacturing, nonprofit energy improvements, and K-12 school facility upgrades, with specialized expertise in Justice40 implementation, community benefit plans, and DEIA frameworks. Jason brings a unique perspective to climate work, combining technical expertise with deep understanding of social systems, community engagement, and the intersection of climate action with social justice. He is committed to climate solutions that center community needs, cultural preservation, and long-term resilience on our finite planet.
Learn more about 4WARD's strategic climate adaptation & decarbonization advisory services