Wisdom of the Past, Power for the Future: Centering Local Traditions in Community Organizing to Codevelop Climate Adaptation Practices

Abstract Marginalized communities, including low-income and mixed-status individuals, Black and Indigenous peoples, along with other communities of color, bear a disproportionate burden from climate change due to systemic inequities, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to resources. This case study examines climate adaptation, environmental justice, and community resilience in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas—a region particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which are further exacerbated by sociopolitical challenges. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach that includes semistructured interviews and participant observations, this research explores how local organizations and residents navigate climate adaptation in the face of immigration threats, infrastructural disparities, and environmental degradation. The findings emphasize the significant role of grassroots initiatives in developing culturally relevant, community-driven adaptation strategies. Using an intersectional theory of change framework, this study underscores the importance of participatory decision-making and community-focused collaboration in promoting equitable climate resilience practices. By prioritizing grassroots knowledge and mobilization, this research contributes to broader conversations about reimagining climate adaptation as a vehicle for social and environmental transformation rather than merely a technical response to climate-related risks.