Fighting global warming in Tucson
Most reasonable leaders from John McCain to Raul Grijalva now agree that global warming is a major threat to our environment and economy, and we need to act yesterday to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases at every level to avoid disaster. But President Bush announced this week at the G-8 summit that reducing greenhouse gases would “wreck our economy”.
Well, Mr. President, it’s 113ยบ today in Tucson and you’re just plain wrong about that economy thing. The Star today published Nicholas Kristof’s column pointing out that Portland, Oregon, has proven that cities can reduce emissions while boosting the economy:
Newly released data show that Portland, America’s environmental laboratory, has achieved stunning reductions in carbon emissions. It has reduced emissions below the levels of 1990, the benchmark for the Kyoto accord, while booming economically.
What’s more, officials in Portland insist that the campaign to cut emissions has entailed no significant economic price, and on the contrary has brought the city huge benefits: less tax money spent on energy, more convenient transportation, a greener city and expertise in energy efficiency that is helping local businesses win contracts worldwide.
This was achieved partly by a major increase in public transit, including two light-rail lines and a streetcar system. The city has also built 750 miles of bicycle paths, and the number of people commuting by foot or on bicycle has increased 10 percent.
Tucson can be a shining example for how to live sustainably in the Sonoran Desert, benefiting our people, our economy, and our environment. Toward achieving that goal, I have been working closely with Congressman Grijalva and helped him obtain $75 million in federal funds to build a Tucson streetcar based on the Portland model. And I have led efforts to obtain the local matching funds to seal the deal through the Regional Transportation Authority.
It’s time to act locally to solve global problems and make our own lives better. We have much work to do, but we have so much to gain for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
July 7th, 2005 at 10:07 am
Regional Transportation Plan! Let’s hear it, Steve! What do you have to say? I assume you support it since the report was unanimous. Why no light rail?
July 8th, 2005 at 10:38 pm
Yes, Tucson can improve its economy, air, and quality of life by boosting sustainable transportation. Farley has the vision to do this.
July 9th, 2005 at 12:34 pm
I’m out walking precincts most of this weekend, but I plan by Monday to post a plea for public involvement in the RTA public forums. The “unanimous” support was to take the draft to the public, not that the draft is perfect as is.
I’ll give a brief take for now, but watch the full posting later for how everyone can get involved. It is not going to do everything, and folks on all sides of the issue will have problems with it. But here are the positives as it stands now: 1) no neighborhood-destroying and budget-busting freeway; 2) it dramatically improves SunTran service with night service past midnight, expanded weekend service, new bus routes, new express lines, greatly increased frequencies, and new low-floor buses to replace the 16-year-old clunkers; 3) it dramatically increases VanTran service; 4) it provides the local match to the federal funding for the UMC-UA-4th Ave-Downtown-Westside Modern Streetcar rail transit, which will be the beginning of a new era in public transit for the central city.
I am not concerned at the lack of light rail, as Modern Streetcar is a newer technology that can do everything Light Rail can do in the central city at about one-third of the cost. It is easily extensible and the infrastructure is compatible with light rail vehicles should we want to go that route in the future. I predict that once we get that route under way, and it becomes a familiar and successful way to get around, the public all over the city will be clamoring for more ASAP–to the airport, to the east side, to the northwest side.
The RTA plan must be improved by adding more transit for riders who have a choice; specifically a Houghton to PCC West Bus Rapid Transit line, and an Oro Valley to Green Valley Bus Rapid Transit line. Both these can easily be paid for by eliminating the grossly overpriced and counterproductive eastern extension of the Barraza-Aviation Parkway ($200 million!) If this happens, we have a great start on making transit work for everyone throughout Tucson, and this is a plan I can heartily support.
Dates & times for forums coming Monday, meanwhile comment at http://www.RTAmobility.com.
July 23rd, 2005 at 11:08 am
One of the cities mentioned in the article was that a city put in solar traffic lights and street lights. Why can’t Tucson do this. We certainly have enough sun.
July 27th, 2005 at 3:03 pm
Steve Farley’s ideas on mass transit are smart and enlightened. Lead on Steve!
July 28th, 2005 at 11:44 am
i ride an electric scooter. i’d love to see these and other e-bikes encouraged. scooters in general are extremely economical, many getting 80-90 mpg.
they’re particularly ideal downtown.
scooter on!
July 28th, 2005 at 3:25 pm
USAToday ran an encouraging article supporting tree planting in urban design to counter growing pollution and free-wheeling sprawl. It highlights chronological satellite imaging of tree cover and correlates it to pollution growth and errosion, drainage, and heating/cooling costs. The result is cities could save temp-control and run-off costs and maintain federal funds tied to polution levels, not to mention associated quality of life benefits. Please check it out at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-07-27-cities-value-trees_x.htm