Climate Connections: Community groups empower climate, economic justice

Lisa Davey

In Missoula, there is a growing movement that recognizes climate action doesn't exist in a vacuum — it’s deeply tied to economic equity and community resilience.  Climate change impacts every aspect of our lives, from the affordability of housing to the availability of public services.

For low-income families, climate-related disasters can push already precarious situations into a full-blown crisis. For renters, rising utility costs due to inefficient buildings worsen financial burdens. For Indigenous communities, the loss of traditional lands and resources due to climate change represents an ongoing erosion of cultural heritage.

Common Good Missoula, an affiliate organization with 22 local members, including Climate Smart Missoula, operates on the premise that tackling these issues requires building connections across them, and offers a blueprint for how broad-based community organizing can break down silos and build a future that prioritizes both people and the planet.

Common Good Missoula believes that tackling these issues requires building connections across them. By bringing together a coalition of faith-based groups, nonprofits, unions and neighborhood organizations, Common Good Missoula creates spaces where community members identify shared priorities and work collectively on solutions. The organization is offering an opportunity for everyone to partake in this model of connection and collaboration during our upcoming Community Organizing Leadership Training, December 2 and 3 from 9am-4pm.

This connections-based and relational approach to organizing is crucial in a time when our community's biggest challenges risk being treated as isolated issues. The tendency to treat climate change, housing, or economic justice as separate challenges has significant downsides. It can lead to fragmented efforts, where groups compete for resources instead of working together. It can also limit public engagement—someone struggling to afford rent might not feel they have the time or energy to think about climate action unless they see the direct connection to their own life. Climate and justice solutions are most effective when they respond to the lived experiences of people in our community.

By breaking down silos, Common Good Missoula makes it clear that everyone has a stake in the fight for a livable future. Whether it’s by linking sustainable housing to affordability or showing how transit investments benefit low-income workers while reducing emissions, the organization makes these interconnections visible and actionable.

Common Good Missoula’s work on zoning and land use provides a clear example of this integrated approach. Through advocacy for equitable housing policies, we’ve addressed how land-use decisions influence carbon footprints, affordability, visibility and access to resources.

By engaging directly with local government and building trust with city planners, we’ve collectively pushed for policies that prioritize energy-efficient, mixed-use developments while resisting zoning deregulation that could worsen inequality.

Common Good Missoula’s work on Neighborways is another clear example of the integrated approach. With volunteer team members from a broad range of member organizations, the issues of community connectivity, transportation safety, non-automobile infrastructure, public health, community building, Salish language, and climate impacts are all addressed by this new way of implementing greenways in our community.

Equally important is our effort to amplify voices historically excluded from decision-making. Indigenous leaders, for instance, have been central to conversations about sustainable land stewardship and cultural preservation, demonstrating that climate solutions must also respect sovereignty and community-led practices.

What sets Common Good Missoula apart is our commitment to relational organizing. This method emphasizes building lasting relationships, not just transactional activism. It’s not about one-off petitions or protests; it’s about growing a network of empowered leaders who can sustain momentum on multiple issues over time.

Relational organizing takes time and trust but pays dividends. When people feel heard and see their values reflected in community efforts, they’re more likely to stay engaged. This approach also helps bridge divides across political, cultural, and socioeconomic lines, making progress on complex issues like climate change more feasible.

Building a better future requires more than just awareness—it requires leadership. That’s why Common Good Missoula is opening up our Community Organizing Leadership Training to all community members next month.

This isn’t just a training – it’s an immersive workshop designed to equip participants with the skills and confidence to lead and make a difference in our community. From understanding power dynamics to developing effective campaigns, the training offers tools that can be applied to a wide range of issues, including climate action.

But more importantly, it offers a chance to be part of something bigger. By joining, participants will connect with neighbors, faith leaders, union members, and advocates who share a vision for a more equitable and sustainable Missoula.

Missoula’s challenges—whether they involve housing, climate, or economic justice—are daunting. But as Common Good Missoula has shown, they are also deeply intertwined. The solutions require us to come together, break down barriers, and work toward a shared vision of fairness and sustainability. We’re stronger together. Please join us!

For more information and to register, visit www.commongoodmissoula.org.

Lisa Davey is the lead organizer and Executive Director of Common Good Missoula. Climate Smart Missoula brings this Climate Connections column to you twice monthly. Learn more about our work and sign up for our e-newsletter at www.missoulaclimate.org.