Adam Hicks: Making an Impact on Climate & Food Justice

At Concrete Jungle, Adam Hick’s work involves simultaneously fighting food insecurity and climate change, diverting food waste from farms to help the local community access fresh fruits and vegetables. Wasted food is a significant contributor to climate change, as it entails wasting the enormous amounts of water and energy that go into growing, harvesting, processing, transporting, and cooking our food. Additionally, food waste ends up in our landfills, and as it breaks down, it produces planet-warming greenhouse gases like methane. On top of that, one in eight Georgians are food-insecure and lack access to fresh, healthy produce. The work Adam is leading at Concrete Jungle is helping to address multiple issues that our communities face, helping to draw down climate emissions while addressing hunger through millions of servings of fruits and vegetables made accessible via donations to local food banks and shelters.

One of the most important things you can do when it comes to climate change is talk about it.

• Moving around growing up and traveling abroad as a young Black person, Adam had to consider what Blackness means in different environments and try to understand how he might be perceived, be prepared for the possibility of racism, and learn how to navigate a variety of situations safely. Adam asks the question, how do you navigate a sense of belonging when you don't belong? And how do you fit in with everyone else while valuing your own uniqueness? How would you answer Adam's questions?
• Reimagining our food system is critical for addressing climate justice. Communities that experience food insecurity also experience a disproportionate burden of climate change impacts, often in lower-income and communities of color. Food-insecure families are two to three times more likely to have diet-related chronic diseases. Adam's work at Concrete Jungle is helping to transform overlooked and underutilized fruit trees while 'gleaning' extra produce from farms, local parks, and backyards for communities in need. Adam explains that "food is connected to everything," and reimagining how we can divert greenhouse gas emissions from food waste to feed people is a climate justice solution that helps to address multiple stressors in our communities.
• Over time, Adam has realized the importance of asking for help. "Growing up, I thought you did not need help if you were smart. So I did not ask for help." This idea contributed to Adam dealing with depression, as he did not have resources to cope. But suicidal thoughts pushed Adam to reach out to a friend and seek help. In talking to others, Adam realized that he was not alone in his depression and that others could provide valuable resources to help. We all feel alone at times; how might it be helpful during challenging times to know that there might be others who could relate to you? If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or suicidal thoughts, there is help. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free and confidential emotional support. You can also contact the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741). 
• According to research conducted by the American Psychiatric Association, most Americans have experienced climate anxiety or feelings of loss concerning the future health of the planet and people due to the climate crisis. Something that has helped Adam deal with climate anxiety is being outside at Concrete Jungle. "Our food and everything is connected. Getting away from the distractions of your screens and the stress of work, you are more engaged with each other and yourself." Being centered is something that Adam has realized is essential. What are ways that you calm and center yourself? Do you have opportunities to get outside and be still in nature? Can you describe how you feel when you intentionally create these moments?
• It has also become important for Adam to find ways to build community. One way Adam is helping to unite people is through 'Community Documentary Night,' an opportunity for people to watch a documentary and discuss it in small groups. It has been an inspiring way to meet people and hear perspectives from people representing different backgrounds, histories, and identities. I have seen how these community conversations have expanded my worldview and the worldviews of others.
• When considering the role you can play in addressing climate change, Adam says everything is connected and encourages people to think about what they can do in their community. Be confident in the power of your abilities and remember that you have a voice. You may perceive it as something small, like picking up trash or providing healthy foods to people who need them. But these actions add up to make big ripples in our world. What is a need that you see in your community? And how can you play a role in helping make an impact?

Learn about the solutions in this story.

• Solution Sector: Food, Agriculture, and Land Use
• Solution: Reduced Food Waste
• For more on all of the Drawdown climate solutions, visit drawdown.org/solutions.
• Learn more about Adam’s work: Concrete Jungle
• Learn more about the community Adam is building: Community Documentary Night

Explore Climate Solutions 101, the world's first major educational effort focused solely on climate solutions. This video series combines Project Drawdown’s trusted resources with the expertise of inspiring, scientifically knowledgeable voices from around the world: drawdown.org/climate-solutions-101.

• Drawdown Ecochallenge, presented by Ecochallenge.org, is a fun and social way to take measurable action on the top solutions to global warming. Take the challenge, and see how a few weeks of action add up to a lifetime of change for you and the planet. If you want to take action on Food, Agriculture, and Land Use like Adam, visit drawdown.ecochallenge.org/challenges/food-agriculture-and-land-use.
• The Drawdown Labs Job Function Action Guides are practical and shareable resources that highlight specific, high-impact climate actions employees in common corporate professions can take at work. 
• ChangeX connects people with proven ideas for strengthening communities with the resources needed to implement those changes. Explore countless ways to improve your community and help the world reach drawdown.
• Climate Generation's Green Careers for a Changing Climate Instructional Supplement (for Grades 6-8) contains resources to help young people learn about Green STEM Careers — careers that can help solve the impacts of climate change using STEM skills. Throughout this instructional supplement, students will be using the resource Drawdown to make important connections to solutions that these careers will implement.
• Solutions Journalism Network highlights the importance of reporting stories of climate solutions in the media to create a more equitable and sustainable world. Visit their Teaching Climate Solutions resource to find curated collections and the latest examples of climate solutions journalism.
• SubjectToClimate (StC) is a nonprofit online connector for K-12 leaders of all subjects to find materials on climate change at no cost. Explore StC’s educator-generated database to connect to Project Drawdown-based climate education resources.