City officials will release the newest iteration of the San Antonio Climate Action and Adaptation Plan on August 22. What's changed? Will the debate over if and how the City should address climate change continue to be mired in controversy or is there common ground to be found for addressing climate change on the local level?
San Antonio's plan for action on climate change outlines targets that must be hit to achieve the goal of carbon-neutrality by 2050. The original proposal released in January was met with criticism, largely from the business community for its strict deadlines and estimated costs of implementation, but also from environmental activists who said the plan wasn't nearly aggressive enough to effect necessary change.
The latest version addresses the former concerns by softening target goals and removing price points altogether. City Council’s Community Health & Equity Committee and the City’s Planning Commission are expected to review the current draft later this month.What are markers of success when it comes to climate action? How does the plan address issues of climate equity? How will the City adapt the CAAP to incorporate ever-evolving climate science and technology?
If the plan is approved, what first steps will be taken and when? How will different requirements be encouraged and enforced? How much could it cost and where will the money come from?
Can cities make a difference by taking action to mitigate the effects of climate change? Does San Antonio's newest plan do enough to make a real impact?
What happens if the plan isn't approved? What are the projected effects and estimated costs of doing nothing to address climate change?
Guests:
- Ron Nirenberg, mayor of the City of San Antonio
- Ana Sandoval, council member for City Council District 7
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*This interview was recorded on Monday, August 19.
