Publication Date

Spring 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor

Rachel O'Malley; Lucy Diekmann; Natalie Boero

Abstract

Low-income and underinvested communities will be disproportionately affected by climate change due to limited resources, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support systems. Urban gardeners are responding to the need to adapt to new climate conditions while sustaining their food sources and cultural practices. Many have adapted thanks to local interventions led by the government and non-profit agencies. For this study, I partnered with La Mesa Verde (LMV), a gardening and food justice program that works with low-income Latinx families in San José, and I documented the contributions of experienced Latinx gardeners, especially those with agricultural backgrounds, to climate-resilient gardening in San José. This study uses the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to identify factors influencing the adoption of climate-resilient practices by Latinx urban gardeners. I find that experienced gardeners are more likely to engage in climate-resilient practices than newer gardeners, playing a critical role as community leaders and educators in advancing urban climate resilience. LMV’s model addresses the main components of the TPB. For example, bilingual workshops promote favorable attitudes towards environmental values. Moreover, LMV offers mentoring and cross-training, supported by experienced gardeners. Finally, LMV’s model successfully removes barriers by covering the costs of gardening spaces and materials. LMV’s model provides a replicable strategy for increasing urban climate resilience.

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