A wind turbine generates clean power near the agricultural fields of the Salinas Valley.
The Environment, Energy, and Equity: How Cities Are Moving Forward in Today’s Economy by Karalee Browne
2020 was supposed to be a big year for climate action. Instead, cities find themselves needing to divert attention and resources to address the COVID-19 crisis and respond to the call for racial equity following the death of George Floyd. Events in recent months have illuminated the direct correlation between health and the environment. The negative impacts of pervasive inequities in disadvantaged communities and communities of color are now abundantly clear. Local governments are faced with tough decisions about how to proceed with policies and projects that address energy, equity, and the environment, in conjunction with the new realities of COVID-induced budget shortfalls.
The financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis are staggering, especially for cities with tourism-based economies. Due to a decrease in revenues associated with tourism, sales tax, and parking, the City of Santa Monica projects a $224 million deficit through the next two fiscal years. On May 5, 2020, the council voted to pass a restructuring plan, which resulted in the consolidation of numerous departments, the streamlining of administrative functions, and the elimination of more
than 400 positions — including staff for its sustainability program, which has helped define the city as an innovative leader for decades. Sustainability staffers in cities throughout California are still reeling from the news. “It was shocking to see Santa Monica, a leader in the field, take such dramatic actions,” says Tiffany Wise-West, sustainability and climate manager for the City of Santa Cruz. “There is still much uncertainty for my colleagues across the state.” Santa Cruz recently committed to a “health in all policies” approach to infuse equity, public health, and sustainability into decisionmaking and policymaking, and Wise-West was invited to join the city’s recovery team. She is looking for opportunities to advance sustainability as part of the recovery process. continued
Karalee Browne is director of the Sustainable Communities Program of the Institute for Local Government and can be reached at kbrowne@ca-ilg.org.
www.westerncity.com
Western City, July 2020
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