What Does Resilience in Austin Mean?

Austin has taken strides to build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable city. With the ongoing work of many City departments, Austin has differentiated itself and is one of the most attractive cities in the nation to live in. 

In Austin, we are proud of our city’s uniqueness, our culture, and the strength of our communities. We have come together in times of need and have bounced back stronger. But since 2008 alone, we have faced several abrupt shocks, such as the 2008 recession, droughts, wildfires, extreme heat, major flooding, the 2018 serial bombings, the 2020 Winter Storm Uri, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with these major shocks, our communities are also burdened by economic inequality, gentrification pressures, and an intensifying housing crisis. Future climate projections indicate more intense and frequent climate-related events. 

We recognize that not everyone is affected in the same way. Disasters compound existing stressors in our most vulnerable communities, which further exacerbate inequities and limit our opportunities to build resilient futures.  

Resilience is not just about preparing and responding to withstand the next disaster. It’s not just about climate adaptation. It’s about how all these efforts come together to provide opportunities for individuals to thrive.  

Resilience is “The capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and grow, no matter what kinds of stresses and shocks they experience.”

Our Guiding Principles

Community Relationships

Accountability & Transparency

Cultivating Trust
community relationships Accountability and Transparency cultivating trust

Equitable Systems

People Power

  
equitable systems People Power  

Meet Our Team

The Resilience Office works across departments and external partners to bring together a wide array of stakeholders, build support for individual initiatives, lead and support the resilience strategy development process, implement actions, and monitor the progress of resilience efforts. 

Contact the resilience office
 

Marc Coudert, Climate Resilience and Adaptation Manager

Marc works with city departments to embed climate adaptation strategies into long term operation and asset management planning. In this role, he also supports community organizers to increase climate resilience in the Eastern Crescent. He currently leads the Austin Resilience Hub Network Program. Marc received a Certificate in Climate Change and Health from the Yale School of Public Health, a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Arizona State University Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. He is a member of the NACCHO Global Climate Change Workgroup.

Molly Ellsworth, Climate Resilience & Adaptation Program Coordinator

Molly focuses on advancing equitable climate adaptation and community resilience initiatives for the City of Austin. With a background in air quality, environmental policy, and climate adaptation planning, she brings valuable experience from working with local governments across the country to the Resilience team. She holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from the LBJ School at The University of Texas at Austin, a Bachelor’s in Environmental Policy from Carleton College, and a Climate and Health certificate from the Yale School of Public Health.

Morgan Kim, Resilience Creative Coordinator

Morgan Kim, a born and raised Texan, brings a dynamic background to the role of Resilience Creative Coordinator. Holding a degree in Arts and Entertainment Technologies from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master's in Marketing, Morgan has cultivated a diverse skill set through extensive experience in the creative industry. With a passion for storytelling through visuals, Morgan has collaborated on numerous projects that merge creativity with resilience strategies.

Alexia LeClercq, UT-City Climate CoLab Manager

Alexia works with UT and various city departments in creating and utilizing localized climate data to advance climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation. With a background in grassroots environmental justice organizing, federal climate policy, and participatory research Alexia brings experience from working in academia, politics, and frontline communities to foster meaningful collaboration for change. Her notable achievements include pushing for an equitable fossil fuel phase out at the UN, successful campaigns against the petrochemical industry's expansion, contributing to climate and land use laws, protecting the Colorado River, and confounding an environmental justice education non-profit, Start:Empowerment, which has reached thousands of youth across the U.S. Additionally, Alexia has received prestigious awards such as the Grist 50 Fixer, Brower Youth Award, Harvard AOCC Award, WWF Conservation Award and been featured on platforms such as Forbes, The Washington Post, Now This News, and The Guardian. She holds a bachelor degree in environmental science and politics from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University and a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.