Boston Climate Resilience Resources

Welcome to the Climate Resilience Resource Directory

This page is dedicated to supporting local resilience groups across Boston in preparing for and responding to climate-related challenges. Here, you'll find information, tools, and resources to help strengthen community preparedness and recovery efforts.

Key Resources

Emergency Preparedness Guides

  • Climate Resilience | Boston.gov : This page outlines Boston's initiatives to adapt to climate change, including efforts to address coastal and stormwater flooding, extreme heat, and the development of open spaces, featuring resources like the 2016 Climate Ready Boston report and updates from the Office of Climate Resilience.
  • Heat Resilience Solutions for Boston : This resource outlines a citywide plan to address extreme heat by investing in cooling infrastructure, prioritizing environmental justice communities, and transforming spaces to reduce heat-related health risks.
  • Beat the Heat Boston Resource Guide : This guide offers Boston residents information on programs and tips to stay cool during the summer, including energy rebates, utility assistance, and locations of cooling centers.
  • Cold Weather Safety Tips : This page provides Boston residents with guidelines for staying safe during extreme cold, including advice on personal safety, preventing frostbite and hypothermia, and maintaining home safety.
  • Tips for Dealing with a Flood : This page offers guidance for Boston residents on preparing for, responding to, and recovering from flooding events, including safety measures, property protection, and post-flood recovery steps.
  • Power Outage Safety Tips : This page provides Massachusetts residents with guidance on preparing for, staying safe during, and recovering from power outages, including tips on emergency kits, generator use, and food safety.
  • Clean Air in Boston : This page details the city's efforts to enhance air quality through programs like real-time air quality monitoring, community grants, and indoor air quality initiatives, supporting Boston's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

Community Resilience Planning

  • Neighborhood Resilience Toolkit
  • Breathe Easy at Home : This program allows healthcare providers to refer Boston residents with asthma for home inspections when poor housing conditions may be contributing to symptoms, aiming to reduce asthma triggers and improve indoor air quality.
  • Understanding Flood Insurance : This page explains the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and provides guidance for Boston property owners on flood insurance coverage, rate determination, and policy options based on flood zones.
  • Massachusetts Energy Rebates & Incentives : This guide provides information on energy efficiency and clean energy rebates, incentives, and programs available to Massachusetts residents, businesses, and institutions, including resources for electric vehicles, appliances, home energy assessments, and solar electricity.
  • Local Emergency Communication Strategies

Health & Well-Being Support

  • Keeping Cool in the Heat : This page offers Boston residents practical tips for staying safe during extreme heat, including home preparation advice, recognizing signs of heat-related illnesses, and information on cooling centers.
  • Age Strong Boston : This page introduces Age Strong Advocates who assist Boston residents aged 60+ with resources, benefits applications, and connections to programs promoting healthy and dignified living.
  • Disabilities Commission : This commission works to ensure full and equal participation for individuals with disabilities in Boston by addressing barriers and promoting equity across various sectors, offering services such as accessible parking applications, architectural access reviews, and information referrals.
  • BPL Housing, Health, Hunger & Help : This guide offers information on shelters, food, medical, and legal assistance for the homeless and housing insecure in the Greater Boston area.

Get Involved

Join a Local Resilience Group

Find out how to connect with a resilience group in your neighborhood and take part in local preparedness initiatives.

Volunteer & Training Opportunities

  • Boston Medical Reserve Corps : The Boston Medical Reserve Corps (Boston MRC) is a community-based volunteer program. Boston MRC prepares for and responds to emergencies to support the City of Boston's public health infrastructure. Members of the Boston MRC organize and train to address a wide range of challenges from disaster response to public health education. Follow the link to request volunteers or get involved.
  • The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness  is a program of the Office of Public Health Preparedness at BPHC. The DelValle Institute provides high-quality all-hazards training and exercises. This training develops and enhances capabilities-based disaster informed preparedness. The institute delivers these offerings across the spectrum of first responders, public health and healthcare agencies, and community and private sector partners.

Contact Us

Office of Public Health Preparedness – Boston Public Health Commission

Barr Climate Resources

Last modified: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7:16 AM