An absurdist theater artist prepares New Yorkers for climate disasters – Grist.org

Report on Community-Led Climate Adaptation and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: A Case Study in Urban Climate Resilience

A community initiative in Far Rockaway, New York, exemplifies an innovative approach to climate adaptation, directly addressing several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project, centered around a theatrical performance titled Flood Sensor Aunty, was developed at Edgemere Farm, a site reclaimed by the community after Hurricane Sandy. This report analyzes how this arts-based intervention serves as a model for building urban resilience, promoting social equity, and strengthening community capacity in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

2.0 Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2.1 Enhancing Disaster Preparedness (Target 11.5)

The initiative directly contributes to reducing the impact of climate-related disasters by focusing on community-level preparedness for urban flooding. Key actions include:

• Educating residents about the increasing frequency and danger of flooding from events like Hurricanes Sandy and Ida.
• Explaining the function of public flood sensor technology, which provides data for early warning systems.
• Distributing practical, life-saving equipment to audience members, such as free flood alarms and headlamps, in collaboration with city agencies.

2.2 Promoting Inclusive and Resilient Urban Planning (Target 11.B)

The project advocates for a shift in urban planning from solely large-scale, top-down infrastructure projects to include “soft care infrastructure.”

1. Community Knowledge: It highlights the value of local networks, such as knowing which neighbors are elderly or require assistance during an emergency.
2. Alternative Infrastructure: It posits that community cohesion and mutual support systems are as critical to disaster resilience as physical structures like sea walls.
3. Reclaiming Public Space: The project’s origin at Edgemere Farm, a community-transformed abandoned lot, demonstrates the power of local action in creating sustainable and resilient urban spaces.

3.0 Contribution to SDG 13: Climate Action

3.1 Improving Climate Education and Awareness (Target 13.3)

Flood Sensor Aunty serves as a powerful tool for climate change education, translating complex risks into accessible and culturally relevant formats.

• Creative Communication: The use of absurdist comedy, music, and performance art captivates audiences and conveys critical information more effectively than traditional pamphlets or public service announcements.
• Demystifying Technology: The play personifies a flood sensor to explain its purpose, increasing public understanding and acceptance of climate monitoring technology.
• Fostering Hope: By using humor and celebrating community power, the initiative combats climate anxiety and encourages proactive engagement rather than despair.

4.0 Advancing SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 5: Gender Equality

4.1 Focusing on Vulnerable Populations (Target 10.2)

A central objective of the project is to reach marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by urban flooding and often overlooked by official outreach efforts.

• Targeted Outreach: The initiative was specifically developed to engage South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities, non-English speakers, and residents of informal housing, such as illegal basement apartments.
• Addressing Systemic Issues: The project acknowledges that historical factors like redlining and segregation have concentrated vulnerable populations and public housing in low-lying, flood-prone areas.

4.2 Valuing Women’s Role in Climate Resilience (Target 5.5)

The report highlights the concept that “care work is infrastructure,” recognizing the vital, often invisible, role of women in disaster preparedness and response.

• The play promotes the idea that “aunty gossip” is a life-saving information network for sharing crucial updates and checking on neighbors.
• This reframes domestic and community-oriented work as a fundamental component of climate infrastructure, thereby elevating its importance and acknowledging the contribution of women.

5.0 Strengthening SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

5.1 Fostering Collaborative Governance (Target 16.7)

The project models a responsive and participatory approach to governance by bridging the gap between city institutions and local communities.

1. Bureaucratic Engagement: The play was developed with technical assistance from the New York City Office of Emergency Management, with one official becoming a performing member of the cast.
2. Constructive Critique: It uses art to both critique bureaucratic inefficiency and celebrate public servants who are actively working to create change within the system.
3. Partnership Model: The collaboration between an artist, city agencies, and local nonprofits demonstrates an effective multi-stakeholder partnership for achieving public safety and resilience goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article is centered on urban life in New York City, specifically in Far Rockaway and Queens. It discusses urban flooding, housing issues (basement apartments), public infrastructure (public housing in low-lying areas), and community-led initiatives like Edgemere Farm, which transformed an abandoned city plot. The entire narrative revolves around making urban communities more resilient and safer.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article directly links the flooding events (Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Ida, heavy downpours) to the broader climate crisis. The central theme is adapting to the effects of climate change by strengthening community resilience and implementing early warning systems. The play “Flood Sensor Aunty” is described as a form of “climate change theater” aimed at disaster preparedness.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article explicitly points out the disproportionate impact of flooding on vulnerable and marginalized communities. It mentions that “South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities,” non-English speakers, communities of color, and immigrants living in illegal basement apartments are most at risk. The play is a targeted effort to reach these groups who are often missed by traditional government outreach due to language barriers and lack of trust.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The initiative described in the article is a clear example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. The play and its associated activities are a collaboration between a theater artist (civil society), the New York City’s Office of Emergency Management (public sector), and local nonprofits. This partnership works to distribute tangible resources like flood alarms and headlamps to the community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The article highlights the deaths caused by Hurricane Sandy (34) and Ida (13), particularly among those in basement apartments. The play’s goal of educating people, providing flood alarms, and teaching them to make a disaster plan directly contributes to reducing future deaths and protecting vulnerable populations.
   • Target 11.b: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… adaptation to climate change, [and] disaster risk reduction…” The article discusses the need for both “hard” infrastructure like sea walls and “soft care infrastructure,” such as community networks and knowledge sharing. The play and the use of flood sensors are presented as creative, community-based strategies for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
2. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The entire project is about building resilience. The article states that “the things that keep us safe are knowing our neighbors, loving our aunties, checking in on elderly people.” This, combined with providing tools like “go-bags,” flood alarms, and headlamps, directly enhances the community’s adaptive capacity to flooding.
   • Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change… adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The play “Flood Sensor Aunty” is a direct tool for education and awareness-raising, using art and humor to convey critical information. It explains what a flood sensor is, how to access 311, and how to make a disaster plan, thereby building human capacity to respond to climate impacts.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all…” The article notes that traditional city outreach “hasn’t done a great job reaching communities that don’t speak English, communities of color.” The play is designed to bridge this gap by using “trusted messengers [and] cultural references” to reach and empower marginalized groups like the “South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities” who are disproportionately affected by flooding.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The project is a collaboration between Sabina Sethi Unni (an artist representing civil society), the city’s Office of Emergency Management (a public institution), and local nonprofits. This partnership is essential for the project’s success, particularly in distributing resources and technical assistance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 11 and 13 (Disaster Risk Reduction):
   • Number of deaths and affected people: The article provides baseline data by mentioning the number of people killed in Hurricane Sandy (34) and Ida (13). A reduction in these numbers during future flood events would be a key indicator of progress towards Target 11.5.
   • Deployment of early warning tools: The use of flood sensors that deliver data to a “publicly-accessible map” is a measurable early warning system. The number of sensors deployed and the number of people accessing the map are potential indicators.
   • Distribution of preparedness resources: The article states that audiences receive “free flood alarms and headlamps.” The number of these items distributed is a direct, measurable indicator of increased community preparedness and resilience (Targets 13.1 and 11.5).
   • Community disaster plans: The play encourages audiences to “make a disaster plan.” The number of households or individuals who create such plans after seeing the play could be measured as an indicator of increased adaptive capacity (Target 13.1).
2. Indicators for SDG 13 and 10 (Awareness and Inclusion):
   • Audience reach and engagement: The article mentions that “Two hundred people gathered to watch a performance.” The number of people, particularly from targeted vulnerable communities (South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, non-English speaking), who attend the play is an indicator of the success of the awareness-raising effort (Targets 13.3 and 10.2).
   • Use of alternative data sources: The article mentions that flood sensors “produce an alternate form of data that can, hopefully, be used for advocacy.” The use of this data by community groups to advocate for policy changes would be an indicator of empowerment and inclusion.
3. Indicators for SDG 17 (Partnerships):
   • Number and type of partners: The article explicitly identifies the partners involved: an artist, the City Office of Emergency Management, and local nonprofits. The existence and effective functioning of this cross-sectoral partnership is itself an indicator for Target 17.17.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: grist.org