The desert city faces a growing risk from extreme heat waves and stronger, more unpredictable storms.
The city of Tucson, Arizona announced it will begin implementing its climate action plan, developed in part as a response to more intense heat waves and extreme weather events, according to a piece by Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the plan balances short- and long-range planning “to protect residents now while also plugging away at long-term efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and become more resilient to extreme weather events.”
The plan includes establishing cooling centers for residents with limited access to safe, air-conditioned spaces, as well as ‘resilience hubs’ that provide cooling services and are powered by solar energy and batteries to stay operational during power outages. “The city also offers free access to showers, pools, and splash pads.”
“Tucson’s long-term climate plans revolve around decarbonizing the city and planting trees to sequester planet-warming carbon dioxide, Romero said.” The city has also created a stormwater harvesting program to help conserve scarce water resources.
FULL STORY: Tucson, Arizona, gears up climate action as city faces extreme weather
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