Sustainability Flagstaff’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: Year One Update
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t’s been one year since the City passed its first local start-up businesses in creating profits Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. This Plan, from local waste. adopted by the City of Flagstaff City Council in •72 community members became Climate November 2018, is a road map for how the city Ambassadors, to talk with their families, will prepare for and respond to climate change. friends and neighbors about climate change. Since the Plan has been adopted, the City has begun working with community members to: •14 Climate Leaders learned how to help people learn about climate change and take ac• Reduce our impact. tion in their community. • Become more resilient, and ready for change. •Almost 100 students participated in the sec•Take actions that benefit residents across the ond annual Flagstaff Youth Climate Summit. community.
Work is being done across the City and community: We have advanced water conservation and forest health measures: • NAU is piloting a chip and ship partnership to make forest thinning more economical. • Our water team is developing the Water Conservation Strategic Plan to guide water saving across the community. •A native landscaping pilot project added water-saving native plants and grasses to the City Hall front lawn. We have adopted building codes that will ensure Flagstaff’s buildings are built better, last longer and help residents save money. • Energy efficient requirements will help residents save energy and money every year for the life of a building. • Homes will be ready for the transition to electric vehicles and duct testing will ensure home systems are properly sealed.
We are working to lift up all boats • Climate change will affect everyone in the world – but in different ways. The more vulnerable members of our community – older adults, those with illnesses or disabilities, communities of color and low-income families – will be most adversely affected. Preparing for climate change means understanding how groups are affected differently, and making changes to help people adapt and avoid the worst impacts. •The Flagstaff CAAP helps us consider the following issues: »» How flooding might burden some groups in town more than others, based on their neighborhood or ability to adapt: while many families can absorb the extra cost of flood insurance, some cannot. »» How smoky days from wildfire might affect those who might already be dealing with challenges, like those with asthma or people without homes. »» How high housing costs impact everyone in Flagstaff, and how housing demand and prices might rise due to increased visitation to Flagstaff.
The City is rethinking the way it does business: • Recently purchased electric vehicles will save the City money: using electricity for fuel is like getting gas for $1.00 per gallon.
• Learn more – check out the Climate Plan dashboard at www.flagstaff.az.gov/ClimatePlan.
• More processes are going paperless to save money while saving paper.
• Become a Climate Ambassador – Sign up now at flagstaff.az.gov/climate
•The City has launched a composting pilot with NAU to share resources and expertise.
•Join a Working Group: we need community members from all walks of life to contribute to climate action. Learn more at www.flagstaff.az.gov/climate.
We have built local capacity: •The Innovate Waste Challenge supported
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Winter 2020 • www.flagstaff.az.gov
You can get involved:
What is a Climate Plan?
Drop-off Day Put your waste in the right place!
A Climate Plan sets a road map for how Flagstaff will prepare for and respond to climate change. Why write one? Here are just a few of the many benefits of a climate plane: • By preparing for change, the community will be better equipped to handle extreme events and negative impacts. • Climate action can help residents become healthier, create stronger neighborhoods and promote more active communities. • Planning can help businesses prepare for change to their business models.
What does it have to do with me? Climate change will affect all parts of the Flagstaff community, from housing prices and forest health to how we get around town.
How can I learn more? •Attend a coffee and climate chat, second Friday of each month. • See www.flagstaff.az.gov/climate for more information.
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oin us for a Drop-off Day, Dump the Drugs and Shred-A-Thon event Saturday, April 25, 2020 from 10 am – 2 pm. Come to the Flagstaff Police Department parking lot at 911 E Sawmill to safely dispose of expired or unwanted drugs, latex paint, sensitive documents, electronic waste, batteries and CFLs. We will properly dispose of or recycle all items to keep then out of our landfill and water system. Attendees can drop off up to two banker boxes of sensitive documents for shredding. No commercial waste will be accepted. If you have questions, please contact Maggie Twomey at 928-213-2144 or mtwomey@flagstaffaz.gov.
