The Quad Cities Climate Collaborative is a local grassroots movement, bringing the region’s allies together to mitigate and adapt to current and future climate effects. As we look to celebrating Earth Day this April we are clearly at a crossroads. By the time this article is published, the current Arizona State legislature will likely have proposed issues for the 2024 ballot severely limiting the ability of individuals and local communities to address solutions associated with climate change, from planning to any limits on the use of fossil fuels.
Despite some promising progress on renewable-energy use in the areas of solar and wind, the global climate crisis alarmingly continues, with projected increasing investment for fossil-fuel extraction. Financial institutions are now backtracking on whatever pledges they have publicly announced. Climate justice around the world demands increased, intentional focus. Despite the current swirl of climate denialism, with your support the QCCC made some positive progress in our region this past year and into 2024. We are grateful to be able to share this news with you.
February: Key climate reports
You may remember that we kicked off our Protect Campaign in July 2021. After a multipronged, volunteer-supported series of events, rallies, letter-writing and postcards, as well as direct testimony before the Prescott City Council, in May 2022 that Council unanimously authorized moving forward on a regional climate assessment. With the outstanding work of Climas, a climate-research body based at the University of Arizona, and expertise and consultation from a broad-based stakeholder group, in February 2023 we released our Quad Cities Climate Profile and solutions-based Local Climate Action Options Report. You can access these at qcclimatecollaborative.org.
After years of silence from local political leadership, the conversation on climate change and its effects is finally elevated to a meaningful level of public understanding and dialogue. Now our local climate movement is focused on local solutions that individual communities can implement.
Quad Cities ‘Go Solar’ campaign
Among the many action proposals in the Local Climate Action Options report is an initiative to expand household use of solar across the region. With our lead partner, Solar United Neighbors, we were thrilled that 36 households and one church (Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Prescott Valley) proceeded with solar installs. The co-op members selected Icon Power of Tempe as our lead solar company. With local sponsors, including QCCC, the Interfaith Climate Action Team, NAZCCA and the Sierra Club-Yavapai Group, this initiative was a resounding success.
Fire-adapted communities
Another local-action solution calls for the development of a new framework for community wildfire preparedness that expands education, coalition-building and communication across engaged stakeholders. Led by Prescott Fire Chief Holger Durre, this strategic initiative was presented to Prescott City Council, followed by an appointment to the new position of Wildfire Risk Management Supervisor in August 2023. This position is an important part of the city-wide Forest Health and Risk Reduction Program and FAC.
Prescott 2025 General Plan
QCCC has been very involved with the General Plan process in 2023 and into 2024. Representatives made a presentation to the General Plan Review Committee shortly after the public release of the climate reports. Over the summer several QCCC Board members collaborated on the submission of four white papers to the City on relevant, climate-related topics, including energy use and conservation, green infrastructure, economic development and climate trends in the region. We will continue to share our perspectives on these issues with City staff and the Review Committee.
Regional energy audits
One high-priority recommendation in our Local Climate Action Options report is local energy audits. Over last summer Prescott City staff worked with a consultant to prepare a preliminary energy audit. While it has been shared with the City Council, it has not yet been released to the general public. We understand it is being reviewed by department heads. We hope the City will be transparent and identify a way to share key findings from that report with the public.
Prescott Valley approved Phase 1 of a major program of improvements to Town facilities early in 2023. The first-phase cost estimate is $8.6 million, which is expected to generate $10.9 million in savings through its life cycle. This is good for the planet, good for the local economy and good for municipal energy-efficiency as well as the Town budget.
Closing thoughts
The 2023 Local Climate Action Options report includes over 40 recommendations, building a blueprint for a more sustainable future. Progress in our communities will require collaborative partnerships and a commitment to local climate action. We hope this 2023-24 update sparks some hope in your heart and mind and moves you to engage and partner with us on a more personal level in 2024. We cannot allow the political atmosphere of climate denialism to impede our local progress toward that sustainable future we all need.
