Earth Day 2009
The City of Tucson, Pima County and the University of Arizona promised to work together to fight the “devastating effects” of climate change on the Southern Arizona region at an Earth Day climate change forum Wednesday morning.

“One of the real joys and powerful aspects of my position is to see the way the city, county, private sector and the university work together on issues in Tucson,” UA President Robert Shelton said in an interview before the climate action discussion began.

As part of the Earth Day celebrations on the University of Arizona campus Wednesday, a “Tucson Spotlight Conversation on Climate Action” was held by the City of Tucson, Pima County and the UA to bring together members of the community to discuss global and local climate change.

The International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives chose Tucson last fall as one of 10 cities to participate in the “National Conversation on Climate Action” on Earth Day this year.

“This is a chance for us to connect with the community and get feedback from them and learn from them,” said Nicole Urban-Lopez, who works with the City of Tucson’s Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development and helped to plan the four-hour-long event.

Members of the community came out to discuss the issue of climate change and how they could make changes in their personal actions.

“I think our culture has to change, and I’m changing before the culture changes,” said Ellyn Gardner, a retired Tucsonan who came out to see what she could do in the community.

Effects of Climate Change in Tucson *Variable and Declining Precipitation *One Degree Increase in Temperature per Decade *Warming Summers *Increasing Wildfires *Expanded Mosquito Season *Longer Heat Waves Source: Melanie Lenart, Global Warming in the Southwest

Held in the UA Student Union Grand Ballroom, the event drew more than 75 guests from the community. Shelton, Tucson City Councilmember Regina Romero and Pima County Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard Elias kicked off the event with speeches aimed at urging the community to take action for the area and global climates.

“Together, we can solve these issues, as long as we have an unwavering commitment,” Shelton said during his introduction to the event.

The group applauded Romero when she advocated for every day to be considered “Earth Day.”

“We have to live in harmony with our desert,” Romero said. “We will continue to move forward as partners.”

Three experts in the environmental field from the University of Arizona, Melanie Lenart, Barbara Warren and William "Pat" Patton, discussed the impacts climate change can have on local environments, health and the economy.

Solutions to Stop Climate Change *Create Economic Incentives for Solar Panel Use *Change the Economic Infrastructure *Bike and Walk to Work *Prepare for Public Health Emergencies *Cut Back on Water Use *Adopt Smart Urban Growth Plans Source: Dr. William "Pat" Patton and Dr. Barbara Warren

Patton, an economic development professor at the UA, said that in order to make significant, positive changes to the climate, the direction of the economy must change.

“There aren’t any perfect solutions, but right now, we need it to be an economic solution,” he said.

After the presentations, the members of the community came together in groups to discuss their personal solutions to the problems of drought, food security and affordable housing as they pertain to the economy.

“This day just shows that the big dudes think there is a problem, not just the radical left,” said Mari Sorri, a potter who came to represent St. Mark's Presbyterian Church at the event. “The mainstream people are worried. If we do it earlier, it will be a lot easier and less expensive.”