By Rick LoBello, Education and Conservation Curator

The UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is the United Nations entity tasked with supporting the global response to the threat of climate change.  On their website they recommend specific actions cities like El Paso can take including the following.

Action 1 – Campaigning to produce behavioral change

Action 2 – Developing more sustainable commuting

Action 3 – Producing products and food locally

Action 4 – Providing services to people affected by climate change

Action 5 – Reducing the use of energy in buildings

Action 6 – Local solutions for sustainable energy access and transformation

Action 7 -Creating wealth from waste

Action 8 – Reclaiming green spaces

Action 9 – Implementing the sharing economy

If you want to make a difference on this topic you can help our community address these actions by getting involved with community groups that are acting now or in the future and by letting your elected representatives and government officials (City – County) know that you want to see action.

One thing to remember is this:

It is very easy for people you contact these days to ignore your emails.  Emails can easily be deleted or buried in in-boxes and many people you contact will ignore you.  If that happens form a group of any size and try to meet with community leaders in person.  If you don’t see this topic addressed on their websites ask why.

Jump at opportunities

I am reminded how years ago how I noticed when Beto O’Rourke was running for Congress how he did not have anything on his website about the environment.  When we met at Starbucks I pointed this out to him and his response was “would you write it up for me.”  I jumped at the opportunity to do just that and was pleased to see how when he got elected he acted on many environmental issues including helping to protect Castner Range.

How the Zoo is helping to address climate change

The El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens has been working to help educate and encourage people to act on climate change for many years. Currently we are working with the City of El Paso Climate & Sustainability Office by working on ways to reduce our energy consumption (Action 5).  

Embracing a pivotal role in environmental guardianship, the Zoo and in a strategic alliance with the Climate & Sustainability Office and Yearout Energy Services Company—is advancing through a rigorous analysis of the Zoo’s current systems and infrastructure. This deliberate and strategic endeavor is centered on the precise identification and implementation of an extensive suite of energy and water conservation initiatives. These initiatives are essential not only for boosting the Zoo’s operational effectiveness, but also for significantly diminishing its environmental footprint. The valuable insights derived from this comprehensive analysis will steer the introduction of a custom designed series of improvements, carefully selected to heighten the Zoo’s operational efficiency and highlight its unwavering commitment to eco-friendly practices. The initial phase of the project is poised to shift from planning to action in early 2025.  Subsequent project phases are planned, with the ultimate ambition of propelling the Zoo and Botanical Garden towards the goal of net-zero energy consumption.

How are we doing in El Paso as a whole?

El Paso like the rest of the world has a very long way to go in confronting climate change and I am not sure if what we are doing now is going to have a real impact. For example, during the onset of the Covid Pandemic I attended one of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar’s online town halls. When she asked for questions, I wrote in the chat that I would like her to take the lead and help El Paso get on board in combatting climate change. I followed up with emails and phone calls and not long after on February 18, 2021 she announced the formation of a Climate Crisis Advisory Committee. I was invited to be a member representing the Zoo and provided as much input as I could in consultation with Nicole Alderete-Ferrini, the City’s first Climate and Sustainability Officer.

After over two years of meetings a year ago on August 12, 2023, Escobar’s Office released a Climate Crisis Advisory Committee Framework document. For some time, I have been wanting to know how the document was received by those the Congresswoman sent digital and hard copies to. After contacting her office, I found out that electronic versions and mailed hard copies were sent to every elected official in El Paso County, including small municipalities and school districts outside of our district, within our region. Earlier this year the Congresswoman’s office in El Paso informed me that they had not received significant feedback from community leaders other than to say they appreciate the work done by the committee. That fact says a whole lot about how far we need to go right here where we live.

We all need to do more than just complain or hide our heads in the sand on this threat to humanity. We have to get involved. Start by reading the Climate Crisis Advisory Committee Framework document. I know it’s not an easy read which may explain the lack of feedback. The document needs to be simplified so that more people can understand it and act. Our city needs to decide who is going to do what in making sure that change happens. I think we need more people involved everywhere.

As for the other actions above recommended by the UNFCCC secretariat I will start looking for more information to share. Feedback and information on those actions in El Paso are welcome and I will do my best to share what I learn in future blog posts. 

Photos
Cover – International Monetary Fund, Wikimedia Creative Commons
Feature – Jas.n, Wikimedia Creative Commons