 Oct. 31, 2024
 Confronting the challenges of climate change
The summer of 2024 was the hottest ever recorded in Pima County. The extraordinary 100-degree days we’ve been experiencing in October are a vivid reminder of the fact that we are living through an era of climate change.
Thus, it’s an opportune time to issue this second edition of the Pima CAN! newsletter, which aims to provide an overview of the tremendous strides Pima County has made in its climate goals, initiatives, and action planning.
From preparing for extreme heat to combating invasive plant species, the County has been proactive when it comes to confronting the urgent challenges posed by climate change. The breadth of the County’s efforts reflects the scope of the threat; making the County climate-resilient calls for wide-ranging, multi-faceted, and innovative planning.
Demonstrating that Pima CAN! make a difference
In March 2024, the County released its Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP), also known as Pima CAN! (Climate Action Now!). This plan encompasses 25 distinct projects that will reduce the region’s carbon emissions by 1.5 million tons between 2025 and 2030. Pima CAN! includes projects that address:
- Energy efficiency and renewable energy sources for buildings
- Water transport and wastewater electricity efficiency
- Fleet electrification and charging infrastructure
- Carbon capture from the landfill and wastewater treatment
- Enhancement of carbon sinks
- Solar installations
Each of these projects will have measurable emissions reduction impact for the entire community.
Wrapping up SAPCO,
preparing for CAPCO
On Oct. 14, 2024, the County released the annual climate initiatives report for the years 2022/23 and 2023/24, which will serve as the final update on the Pima County Sustainable Action Plan for County Operations 2018 – 2025.
The latest version of this report and the significant successes we’ve achieved also was presented to the Board of Supervisors on Oct. 15, when County staff updated the Board on the County’s efforts to do its part to mitigate the effects of climate change.
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Turning up the heat on preparedness
The 2024 heat season demonstrated a deep commitment by Pima County to protect the community and prevent heat-related illness, injury or death. The County’s response to the 2024 heat season included a comprehensive three-year Heat Plan, a full-scale communications campaign to address heat risks and highlight response efforts, and the deployment of more than 40 cooling centers across the entire region, serving more than 15,000 individuals.
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Keeping an eye on
invasive plants
In recent years, the spread of invasive plant species has accelerated across the region. In February 2024, the County Administrator noted in a memo to the Board of Supervisors that an interdepartmental planning team, representing more than 11 County departments, was convening to address the threat of invasive plants, including threats to native lands and species, wildfire risk, and public safety.
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Planning for a
sustainable water future
As highlighted in this February memo, the County has an interdisciplinary team working on water priorities. Formed in 2022, the Water Working Group (WWG) represents more than eight County departments.
It is anticipated that the WWG will craft a new plan representative of County operational strategies, regional partnerships, and short- and long-term priorities for consideration later this year.
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Make your household more energy-efficient
The Pima County Department of Environmental Quality is working with Environmental Education Exchange and Tucson Electric Power to host a series of free 90-minute Home Energizer Workshops during the months of November and December. Everyone who participates will receive a free Energy Efficient Kit that includes LED light bulbs, a low-flow shower head, an LED nightlight, and more. Attendees will learn how to use and install the items in the kit and learn other tips for reducing their energy use at home.
November
- Wednesday, Nov. 6: Santa Rosa Library (1075 S. 10th Ave., Tucson) in the Community Room, bilingual workshop - 10:30-12 p.m.
- Wednesday, Nov. 6: Southwest Library (6855 S. Mark Road, Tucson) in the Community Room - 3-4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 12: Quincie Douglas Library (1585 E. 36th St., Tucson) in the Community Room - 10:30-12 p.m.
- *Wednesday, Nov. 20: Good News Church for the Miracle Manor Neighborhood Association (701 W. Glenn St., Tucson) - 6-7:30 p.m.
- *Friday, Nov. 22: Pima Community College, West Campus, in Suite A231, Santa Rita bldg. (2202 W. Anklam Road, Tucson) - 10:30-12 p.m.
- *Monday, Nov. 25: Santa Rosa Head Start (1065 S. 10th Ave., Tucson) in the Community Classroom, bilingual workshop - 9-11 a.m.
December
- Tuesday, Dec. 3: Woods Memorial Library (3455 N. First Ave. Tucson) in the Community Room - 5-6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 6: Sam Lena-South Tucson Library (1607 S. 6th St. Tucson) in the Community Room, Spanish workshop - 3-4:30 p.m.
- Monday, Dec. 9: Sahuarita Library (670 W. Sahuarita Rd., Sahuarita) in the Community Room - 2-3:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 10: YWCA House of Neighborly Services (243 W 33rd Street, Tucson) - in Bldg 1, Spanish workshop - 9:30-11 a.m.
- *Thursday, Dec. 12: Catalina Family Resource Center (3645 E Pima St, Tucson) in the Community Classroom, Spanish interpreter - 9-10:30 a.m.
- Friday, Dec. 13: Valencia Library (202 W. Valencia Rd, Tucson), in the Community Room - 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Wednesday, Dec. 18: Dewhirst-Catalina Library (15631 N. Oracle Rd. #199, Catalina, AZ 85739) in the Community Room - 10-11:30 a.m.
*: Please call ahead if interested in attending this workshop: 520-670-1442.
Cooling the community through sustainable mobility
Did you know that Tucson is now 11 degrees warmer on average than it was a century ago? Shifting to sustainable mobility can help to support the well-being of our community by helping to reduce urban heat. The Pima County Clean Air Program and Watershed Management Group (WMG) have teamed up to offer a series of workshops this fall to help make cycling and public transportation more accessible.
The remaining workshops are:
Bike Repair Workshop
Nov. 10, 3-5 p.m.
Empower yourself with essential bike repair skills. Join WMG’s Joselyn Aguilar for a hands-on workshop focused on tire, brake, and chain maintenance. $10 fee includes a tire repair kit and refreshments.
Bus Ride Scavenger Hunt
Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Dec. 19, 5-8 p.m.
Explore Tucson on a guided bus adventure! Participate in a fun scavenger hunt while learning how to ride the bus. Perfect for families and individuals looking to connect with the community.
Register for these workshops at Tucson on the Move: Sustainability Mobility Series.
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Stay tuned for 2025
Through a collective commitment to climate action and sustainability, as well as effective planning efforts, Pima County has gone a long way toward the goal of climate resiliency. But the most important steps lie ahead.
This newsletter will be sent out periodically to keep you up to date on the latest Pima CAN! initiatives. You can also follow Pima County on Facebook, Threads or Instagram for important updates.
Please feel free to share this newsletter with your family, friends and coworkers — and let them know how they can subscribe to get the latest Pima CAN! updates!
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