Earth In Crisis: Dawn Of A New Era
Looking For A Mayor And Council Who Will Take The Lead On Climate
By Tracey MacDermott
For the GPHN
This spring Denver voters will elect a new mayor and a new city council.
This brings a welcome opportunity for Denver voters to weigh candidates’ positions on numerous issues that affect our daily lives. From the future of the Park Hill Golf Course property, to homelessness, air pollution, traffic, litter and quality of life — all share a component related to our changing climate. We need our new city leaders to put forward bold and innovative solutions to the most critical issue of our time.
In what is currently a ridiculously overcrowded field of people running for mayor, as well as city council races, how will these issues hold up? Where do the candidates stand on climate change?
Denver’s air continues to rank as one of the worst in the nation. Last April, the American Lung Association ranked Denver 7th worst in the United States for ozone. We need a thoughtful and serious debate on this issue. We also need real solutions, and we need them now.
Way back in May of 1979, the New York Times reported that pollution was a key issue in that year’s Denver primary. Then-Mayor Bill McNichols’s opponent was pushing back on the city’s laissez faire approach regarding the second worst air pollution in the nation. The challenger — who ultimately lost — had an agenda that proposed more bike lanes and an improved mass transit system for Denver. Nearly 44 years have passed, and we are still talking about making these improvements.
Other hot issues that year included booming construction and a depleting water supply. Sound familiar?
Salt and trees don’t mix
In late December we were hit with a much-needed dose of snow. That helped in our drought. However, we were left with snow packed roads and sidewalks, which made getting our way around the city treacherous and dangerous for weeks afterward. Many of us resorted to using salt on our walkways. Meanwhile, Denver and the state transportation department uses liquid deicer to mitigate our slick roads. Although the deicer has a lower environmental impact than salt, it is not free from contributing to salt pollution — which can damage plants and aquatic life in our waterways.
As reported last year by Colorado Public Radio and others, road salts have been added to the long list of things that kill Colorado trees. A University of Northern Colorado study from 2004 found a strong correlation between tree health and road salt application. Other reports note the death of nearby vegetation in response to how we de-ice our roads. While traffic safety is a huge concern, we need to continue to strive for innovative solutions to minimize harm.
What about the issue of booming construction, which was also hot on the minds of Denverites 44 years ago? Yes, time marches on, but our issues remain the same. Currently, just 36 percent of the total construction and demolition debris that is generated from tearing down buildings and houses is diverted from the landfill. In 2020 the Denver officials acknowledged that the city “must act with urgency to strengthen its sustainable materials management policies, programs, and infrastructure in order to promote principles and practices of a circular economy.”
That was three years ago.
Buildings and homes are still coming down all over this city. The time for a strong and comprehensive deconstruction bill — requiring recycling and reusing materials rather than allowing it to be hauled to the landfill — is right now.
Make Denver beautiful again
We live in the Rocky Mountain West, and a love for the outdoors and recreational activities are a huge reason why so many of us are here. That means that yes, we need a comprehensive mass transit system that prioritizes electric buses and convenience.
However, the reality is, we still need cars. As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, we need to implement EV car-share programs and invest in charging stations throughout the city. Low-income neighbors must be prioritized when we build infrastructure and programs.
In 2020 the city issued a sustainable resource management plan that was designed to facilitate “beautifying the city’s streets, parks, and neighborhoods, and protecting sewers and waterways by eliminating litter.” Is the plan working? Well, we are all witness to a growing trash problem on our streets. So I would say no. We need to demand that candidates who are asking for our votes address this. What are their ideas to beautify our city?
As Denver continues to grow, we need to prioritize park space. A golden opportunity is in our back yard, at the Park Hill Golf Course property. Every single candidate needs to clearly tell the public where they stand. Do they support protecting that land, or lifting the conservation easement and allowing a developer to proceed with the bulldozers? Ask them and insist they are clear about their position.
It is time to put Denver on the fast track of leading on climate. This month and next, show up to candidate forums, ask hard questions and be persistent that they are answered. We need to know who will have bold climate solutions and support Mother Earth over private profit.
Finally, on April 4, make sure you vote. The future of our city depends on it.
Tracey MacDermott is an at-large member of the board of Greater Park Hill Community, Inc., and immediate past chair. She was trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2017, and is currently the Statewide Co-Chair of the Climate Reality Project for the 100% Committed Campaign.