Environmental Stewardship

If COVID-19 taught us anything, it is the importance of being prepared for a crisis. Ann Arbor is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. ​We have seen a 44% increase in annual precipitation since the 1950s and 37% increase in extreme storms since 1981. While we don’t have the power to shift the fate of the planet, we do have the responsibility to reduce our own carbon emissions and build a community that allows Ann Arbor to be strong in the face of adversity.

The City has identified four priority areas to achieve carbon neutrality: energy, mobility, resource reduction, and adaptation/resilience. Transportation accounts for about 17% of Ann Arbor’s total greenhouse gas emissions, before factoring in the impacts of commuters.  It is imperative that we build a safe and connected bike and pedestrian network, supported by a strong transit system to reduce our greenhouse emissions. And we must work to make sure our new buildings are as green as possible. Our future literally depends upon it.

And there are, of course, environmental issue beyond climate change that we must attend to. Our community has been watching the 1,4 dioxane plume slowly migrate towards the Huron River for over thirty years, contaminating groundwater, as it creeps closer to Ann Arbor’s water supply. The plume now runs directly beneath my home. I have been committed to ensuring we are closely monitoring any shifts that might impact our drinking supply, while pushing for polluter accountability.