(Contributed photo)
WATSONVILLE — Volunteers fanned out in Watsonville on Sunday, surveying residents to find out how, or if, they are being affected by climate change.
Launched by Regeneración – Pájaro Valley Climate Action, the 20 volunteers ranged in age from 12 to 60. After gathering for a training session, they then interviewed 43 people on Sunday, and will continue to conduct in-person surveys over the next six weeks, said Nancy Faulstich, Regeneración project director.
The survey aims to find out how people are being affected by pollution and environmental changes in the Pajaro Valley and what projects people think would lower pollution, mitigate the negative effects of environmental changes and bring the most benefit to the community.
Regeneración contracted Shishir Mathur, Associate Dean of Research, College of Social Sciences at San Jose State University, to oversee the survey’s methodology and to assist in understanding its results.
Survey results will be shared with the public this spring and will be used to guide Regeneración’s next steps.
Regeneración is an organization that advocates for a sustainable way of life. Over the past year, it has teamed up with young people to teach them about climate change and its effects.
For example, 38 Video Academy seniors at Watsonville High School researched and produced 10 short films for a project called “Living in a Changing Climate.”
In July, recent Pajaro Valley High School graduate Maria Perez coordinated an environmental festival attended by 150 residents of her neighborhood.
An online version of the survey is available in English at www.surveymonkey.com/r/pvccen and Spanish at www.surveymonkey.com/r/pvccspanish.
