Voices rising for climate justice
PCJ in the Bay Fellow Stories: Monica Tavassoli
I remember walking into the second Climate Change Community Team (CCCT) meeting a little nervous about how the community would engage. Just a month earlier, many of the participants had been hesitant, their voices quiet and tentative. That evening, the room buzzed with energy, ideas flying across tables as residents began to share their concerns openly: air quality, transportation, and the impacts of climate change on their neighborhoods. By the end of the night, several had volunteered to take on leadership roles for future sessions. It was a profound moment: the transformation in just a few weeks was tangible, and I was lucky to witness it firsthand.
I had joined Rise South City as a Partnerships for Justice in the Bay Area Fellow to support the organization’s mission of building climate-resilient communities. Based in South San Francisco, Rise South City works to unite frontline residents, allies, and organizations toward neighborhoods that are resilient, regenerative, and equitable. My role involved helping launch the CCCT, digitizing an air quality survey and analyzing the results, and creating outreach materials to expand the organization’s visibility. Every task, whether strategic or administrative, felt meaningful because it supported the community’s capacity to lead climate action in its own neighborhoods.
One of the most memorable parts of the fellowship came late that same evening, after the CCCT meeting had ended at around 9:30 pm. I rode home with my supervisor Francesca who, despite leading a two-hour workshop, was still radiating energy and excitement. She shared the personal struggles that had motivated her to start Rise South City, challenges she had faced growing up in her own community, and how those experiences shaped her desire to prevent similar obstacles for others. Listening to her story, I was struck by the depth of her dedication and the way she channeled personal experience into public service. The combination of seeing community members step confidently into leadership and hearing Francesca’s story in the same night made me reflect on the profound ripple effect of leadership grounded in lived experience.
Through my work, I learned more than just technical skills like data entry or digital media creation. I learned about the nuances of community engagement in climate work; how important it is to create safe and supportive spaces where participants feel empowered to contribute; and how patience, listening, and intentional facilitation can lead to transformative outcomes. The CCCT meetings demonstrated that when residents are given the tools and trust to participate, they can identify priorities and propose actionable solutions that are meaningful to their lived reality. This lesson challenged my assumptions about top-down approaches to sustainability work and reinforced my commitment to centering community voices in any future initiatives I pursue.
Another key lesson came from observing the balance between capacity and impact. At the time that I joined them, Rise South City had only three full-time staff managing a wide range of projects. This sometimes meant that as a fellow, I spent time on administrative or support tasks. I welcomed these opportunities, and they taught me the value of supporting operational work to make community-facing initiatives possible. Seeing how much the team could accomplish despite limited resources impressed upon me the importance of resourcefulness, teamwork, and strategic prioritization in public service work.
This fellowship also expanded my perspective on the intersection of climate and social issues. While my personal interest lies primarily in housing, engaging deeply with climate resilience helped me see how environmental and social justice are intertwined. Air quality, transportation, and disaster preparedness all affect vulnerable populations disproportionately. Supporting Rise South City allowed me to understand that advancing equity in one domain often requires consideration of others, and that solutions must be holistic to be truly sustainable.
As I reflect on the summer, the most enduring lesson is the power of supporting communities to lead their own change. I witnessed individuals grow into leadership roles, share their knowledge, and drive action in ways that were both practical and visionary. I also saw how one person’s experience, like Francesca’s, can catalyze change for hundreds of others. This fellowship reinforced my commitment to pursuing work that integrates environmental and social justice, and it gave me a model for how to approach community engagement thoughtfully, creatively, and with humility.
Ultimately, the experience reminded me that meaningful public service is about more than completing tasks or hitting milestones. It is about fostering connections, listening deeply, and creating opportunities for others to thrive. I am grateful for the support that made this fellowship possible and for the opportunity to learn from a team and a community that exemplify dedication, resilience, and hope in the face of climate challenges.
Monica Tavassoli is a graduate student in Stanford’s Program in Sustainability Science and Practice. This summer, she partnered with Rise South City as a Partnerships for Climate Justice in the Bay Area Fellow to support community-led air quality research and outreach in South San Francisco. Monica is interested in exploring ways to improve the built environment through data-driven, community-centered approaches.
