| City of Phoenix Seeks Input to Fight Climate Change | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1577 | Environment & Sustainability | | 10/20/2020 9:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1577/Newsroom_Environment_021.png | | City of Phoenix Seeks Input to Fight Climate Change | <div class="ExternalClass66A92244F15444A69BC13BB9F0218E01"><html>
<p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>The city of Phoenix is seeking community and stakeholder input on its draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) framework. The proposed plan will address the challenges posed by climate change and help make Phoenix the most sustainable desert city on the planet. </p>
<p>“The global challenge of climate change demands local action, and as a member of the C40 Cities Global Climate Leadership Group and the Climate Mayors Steering Committee, I am committed to doing our part to usher in a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable future,” said Mayor Kate Gallego. </p>
<p>Phoenix’s membership in the C40 network of cities requires the city to develop a CAP. The draft CAP framework includes goals and specific actions for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from various activities categorized in three areas: Stationary Energy, Transportation and Waste. It also includes Phoenix-specific topics, such as Air Quality, Food Systems, Heat, and Water. </p>
<p>“Climate action is an essential component of the effort to restore our economic security, modernize our economy, and enhance the well-being of our residents and our environment,” said Mayor Gallego.</p>
<p>This opportunity to develop a plan comes after Phoenix just experienced the hottest summer on record, a drier than normal monsoon season and smoke-filled skies from wildfires within Arizona and all along the West Coast. Events like these are predicted to increase in frequency over the coming decades.</p>
<p>To help fight climate change, the city would like to hear the community’s thoughts on how to enhance the environment. There are a variety of opportunities for residents to get involved: review the draft plan framework, participate in virtual workshops, and submit feedback, comments or questions at <a href="/oep/cap" target="_blank"><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>phoenix.gov/oep/cap</a>.</p>
<p>Public comment is due on December 31.<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span></p>
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| Virtual and Drive-Thru Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest Event | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1538 | Environment & Sustainability | | 10/1/2020 8:45:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1538/Newsroom_Environment_020.png | | Virtual and Drive-Thru Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest Event | <div class="ExternalClass9A26E574C12B48C397FF77F2134F6751"><html>
<p>To help reduce COVID-19 transmission through social distancing, this year’s Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest event will combine drive-thru and virtual activities from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10. The city of Phoenix and the Junior League of Phoenix will host the drive-thru event at the Cartwright School District Offices and Community Garden, 4208 N. 51st Ave.</p>
<p>Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest is a free, health and wellness event that focuses on healthy lifestyles for families. Goody bags for adults and school-aged children will be given away. Each bag will include fitness activities, gardening kits, food baskets, cooking recipes and special prizes!</p>
<p>The community will also be able to access educational health and wellness videos on the city of Phoenix Food Day and Healthfest website following the event. Videos will include cooking demonstrations from local chefs, gardening tutorials, and other health-related activities.</p>
<p>“Junior League of Phoenix is committed to fighting hunger in greater Phoenix and increasing awareness around living a healthy lifestyle and providing much needed resources to our community,” said Danielle Wilhelmsen, Healthfest Chair for the Junior League. “Not everyone in our community has access to these resources that many of us take for granted, so we’re excited to have found a way to continue this important work through the pandemic with a safe, drive-thru event.”</p>
<p>For more information and to participate in this free event, visit <a href="/OEP/FoodDay" target="_blank"><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>Phoenix.gov/OEP/FoodDay</a>.</p>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Strong Commitment to Sustainability Results in a Major Accomplishment | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1530 | Environment & Sustainability | | 9/24/2020 9:35:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1530/Newsroom_Environment_019.jpg | | Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Strong Commitment to Sustainability Results in a Major Accomplishment | <div class="ExternalClassFFD5FBFCCDE242DB89EE0398CD75B4D4"><html>
<p>Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America's Friendliest Airport®, is committed to sustainability. Since 2014, the Airport has undertaken measures to be more sustainable. These efforts have not gone unnoticed in the aviation industry, as for the past four years, Phoenix Sky Harbor has achieved and maintained a Level 2 status with the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. In 2020, however, Phoenix Sky Harbor has taken its sustainability efforts one step further and has achieved Level 3 Accreditation. Phoenix Sky Harbor is among an elite group of airports to attain this level as there are only seven airport systems in the US and 17 airports overall in North America who have reached this level or above.</p>
<p>"Attaining Level 3 of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program is a remarkable achievement," said Director of Aviation Services James E. Bennett. “Our commitment to sustainability is strong with numerous initiatives underway, all while we continue to deliver world-class service to our customers each day."</p>
<p>The Airport Carbon Accreditation Program is a voluntary initiative for airports that want to demonstrate their commitment to reduce global warming and climate change. It serves as an international carbon management certification standard for airports and requires participating airports to create a carbon footprint of emissions so that they can see where the greatest reductions can be made and monitor progress.</p>
<p>More than 90% of Phoenix Sky Harbor's carbon footprint is from the purchase of electricity. Phoenix Sky Harbor has had solar panels at its Rental Car Center and East Economy Parking areas since 2012, but it recently installed a third solar system at the City of Phoenix Aviation Department's Corporate Office Building. Additionally, the Airport enacted energy reduction measures such as using LED lighting. LED lighting conversions have taken place at Terminal 4, in the Terminal 4 Garage, in the East Economy Garage, and on the airfield. As a result, of conservation measures, there has been a 17% reduction in energy used.</p>
<p>Reporting in 2020 for calendar year 2019, Phoenix Sky Harbor certified at Level 3 Optimization. This means that the airport had a year-to-year reduction in airport-owned and operational emissions associated with terminal electricity and fleet vehicles among others, but also required the Airport to calculate user and tenant activities. The report includes carbon emissions associated with all activities at the airport such as estimating aircraft emissions, emissions from vehicles coming to the airport, tenant electricity, and more. With this information, the Airport will develop a plan with stakeholders so that they can be engaged in working together to reduce emissions.</p>
<p>Other sustainability initiatives include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Upgrading HVAC cooling systems with more energy-efficient technology.</li>
<li>Decreasing energy used in buildings and on the airfield. Since 2009, the goal of a 20% reduction is almost achieved.</li>
<li>The Airport's 40% waste diversion goal has been achieved.</li>
<li>Transitioning to 100% xeriscape which resulted in the savings of more than 5 million gallons of water each year.</li>
<li>Installing a new Terminal 4 Cooling Tower Soft Water Pre-Treatment system prolongs the life of the equipment and saves more than 22 million gallons of water annually.</li>
<li>Creating a Leadership in Energy Environmental Design (LEED) silver building featuring new, energy, efficient equipment as part of the Terminal 3 Modernization Program.</li>
</ul>
<p>A full report on Phoenix Sky Harbor's numerous sustainability initiatives is available at <a href="https://www.skyharbor.com/about/Sustainability" target="_blank">https://www.skyharbor.com/about/Sustainability</a> For more information on the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, visit <a href="http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/" target="_blank">http://www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org/</a>.</p>
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<p style="text-align:left;">Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America's Friendliest Airport®, has an annual economic impact of more than $38 billion. Every day approximately 1,200 aircraft and more than 125,000 passengers arrive and depart at Sky Harbor. PHX Sky Harbor is funded with Airport revenue. No tax dollars are used to support the Airport.</p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Register: Killer Heat in COVID Times | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1460 | Environment & Sustainability | | 8/18/2020 9:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1460/Newsroom_Environment_018.jpg | | Register: Killer Heat in COVID Times | <div class="ExternalClass9EB03C388C714E4F82FBD8B2F89FD7E0"><html>
<p>Last month, Phoenix broke its record for the most days at 110-plus degrees, while being the world's hotspot for coronavirus. This case critical discussion brings together ASU, the city of Phoenix, as well as a local nonprofit and a national NGO, to discuss the compounding crises of extreme heat and COVID-19.</p>
<p>
<strong>Ariane Middel, Moderator</strong>
<br>Senior Sustainability Scientist, ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation</p><p><strong>Juan Declet-Barreto</strong><br>Climate Vulnerability Social Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists</p><p><strong>Mark Hartman</strong><br>Chief Sustainability Officer, City of Phoenix</p><p><strong>Masavi Parea</strong><br>Coalitions and Trainings Director, CHISPA Arizona</p>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020</strong>
<br>2 - 3 p.m.</li>
</ul>
<p>Co-hosted by ASU's <a target="_blank" href="https://sustainability.asu.edu/hue/">HUE (Healthy Urban Environment) </a>initiative.</p>
<p>Register via <a target="_blank" href="https://asu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZDulPDrRQz6IiiS7cRNFAQ">Zoom</a> </p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | News | environmental-programs |
| Climate Action Plan Survey - PHXTV Virtual Reporting | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1422 | Environment & Sustainability | | 7/24/2020 3:00:00 PM | | https://youtu.be/lbUQrovO9uY | Climate Action Plan Survey - PHXTV Virtual Reporting | <div class="ExternalClassCC607FC66FAA4BDE9D6DF6F079D98FD4"><html>
<p>The city of Phoenix is asking for your help. The Office of Environmental Programs is looking for ideas to improve air quality and reduce our carbon footprint. Environmental Programs Coordinator Rosanne Albright tell us how you can help.</p><p>Learn more about the work the city is doing and find the survey at <a href="/oep/climate" target="_blank">https://www.phoenix.gov/oep/climate</a>.</p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/oep | Video | environmental-programs |
| Phoenix Tests Use of Cool Pavement to Mitigate Heat Island Effect | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/environmental-programs/1392 | Environment & Sustainability | | 7/9/2020 7:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1392/Newsroom_Environment_017.jpg | | Phoenix Tests Use of Cool Pavement to Mitigate Heat Island Effect | <div class="ExternalClassDCF23B26A9AB4865874C20A671889180"><html>
<p>Something really ‘cool’ is happening in Phoenix…literally! The City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department is launching a pilot study to evaluate cool pavement treatment.</p>
<p>Asphalt collects and retains heat during the day and releases it slowly at night. Phoenix is among several cities that are experiencing the urban ‘heat island’ effect due to the retention of heat within the built environment. US Environmental Protection Agency data shows the difference in nighttime temperatures in heat island areas can be as much as 22 degrees hotter than temperatures measured outside the heat island. Higher nighttime temperatures lead to more energy consumption, more greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and other harmful effects.</p>
<p>Cool pavement is lighter in color than traditional asphalt or other seal coatings. Cool pavement reflects back the sunlight that hits it. Because the surface reflects, rather than retains heat, cool pavement has the potential to offset rising nighttime temperatures in Phoenix. It should also help cool neighborhood areas that don’t have much shade from the sun.</p>
<p>Cool pavement is not a paint treatment. It is a water-based asphalt sealant that is applied on top of the existing asphalt pavement. It's made with asphalt, water, an emulsifying agent (soap), mineral fillers, polymers and recycled materials. It contains no harmful chemicals and bonds with the asphalt layer underneath.</p>
<p>
<img src="/streetssite/MediaAssets/Cool_Pavement_04_72DPI.jpg" alt="Side-by-side temperature readings" style="width:250px;vertical-align:auto;float:right;" />University researchers will be taking measurements and collecting data over several years to evaluate the results and determine if cool pavement helps mitigate the heat island effect and if those effects are sustainable over time.</p>
<p>Because the Phoenix area climate is unlike other major cities, the study team will also assess how the material holds up against 300 days of sunshine, monsoon storms, high temperatures and daily traffic.</p>
<p>Esteban Park at 32nd Street and Roeser Road was the first site to receive cool pavement treatment. Eight other locations where streets were in good condition but were due for a surface treatment were selected in consultation with the Mayor and Council offices.</p>
<p>To learn more about cool pavement, please phoenix.gov/streets/coolpavement.</p>
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