Ashley Green
When I think of the future of St. Petersburg, I am invested in our sense of community focused on the progressive values and culture we hold dearly. However, I have been increasingly worried about the impacts sea-level rise and climate change will have on our beautiful city in the next 20 years or so. If we look around today, we can see how the changes in the environment are already posing a threat. For me, climate change will be a guiding light in how I vote in our 2021 general elections this November.
The City’s Integrated Sustainability Action Plan (ISAP) has reasonable climate action goals for us as a local community. It allows us to focus on the importance of resiliency, centralizing climate social justice efforts to include race, and even a transitional plan to move us to 100% clean energy. ISAP is only the beginning, and there’s a lot more work that needs to be done to ensure the St. Petersburg community continues to flourish. We need implementation, education, and community dialogue about the impacts of climate change.
When I am at the ballot box this fall, I will review the plans and solutions the candidates present to tackle climate change and its rippling effects. We need politicians that understand the urgency and intersectionality of climate change and social justice, living wages, and infrastructure.
To me, these are some of the priorities St. Petersburg candidates need to prioritize. Our sewer system, we need to upgrade our sewer system to prevent pollution of our bay. Our water bill system needs to be more equitable so that everyone can afford access to water. And lastly, we need a more significant investment in our ISAP to ensure the city is protecting working-class people’s homes and housing and not just the high rises.
I plan to vote for those who will make the environment a top priority for our community.
