Tucson City Council Votes To Pass Climate Emergency Declaration

TUCSON, AZ — The Tucson City Council met Wednesday evening to vote on a proposal that would declare a 'climate emergency' in the city. The plan, which will require all city departments to become carbon neutral by 2030, passed.

The proposal was put forth by Mayor Regina Romero and Councilman Paul Durham, who represents Ward 3. It builds on the foundation set by the Green New Deal, which was announced by Democrats in Congress in 2019.

Romero and Durham have said that the declaration will make the city more equitable for all residents and puts sustainability at the forefront of decision-making.

"Let’s make Tucson a more ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable city," the mayor tweeted when she announced the proposal will be included on Wednesday's meeting agenda.

The proposal acknowledges that the proposal will require cooperation from the city, not just officials, in order to reach carbon neutrality in 10 years.

"The City of Tucson will need all Tucsonans to unite in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint," the proposal said. "Our individual as well as our collective and coordinated actions are pivotal to solve the challenges presented by climate change locally."

For Romero and Durham, climate change is a public health and safety issue, as well as an environmental one. Climate change can worsen existing hazards like wildfires, drought, extreme heat and flooding, according to the proposal. Tucson is coming off of its hottest summer on record, according to the National Weather Service.

In a celebratory tweet after the proposal passed through the council, Romero said she was proud of the city's commitment to a "critical issue."

"There's a lot of work to be done, but I am so proud of our city's commitment to take bold action," she said.

Footage of the meeting can be viewed here.