Council Member Berdetta Hodge
Courtesy City of Tempe
By Berdetta Hodge | Tempe City Council Member
Is it just me, or has it been one scorcher of a summer? I have lived in Tempe nearly my entire life and I cannot remember a hotter season!
We set a record for consecutive 110-degree days. We also broke numerous other heat-related records. To familiarize yourself with these dubious distinctions, please read "Another Phoenix heat record has been broken..." from AZCentral.
There’s no doubt that temperatures are rising and that our climate is changing. The city of Tempe must adapt and become more sustainable. Under the guidance of Eric Iwersen, our recently named director of sustainability and resilience, this is exactly what we are doing.
Mr. Iwersen has hit the ground running (or, knowing him, biking!). This summer, we launched “Youth Stories of Heat,” a five-part audio series that examined the effects of higher temperatures on Tempe and McClintock High School students.
In August, the Sustainability and Resilience Office distributed 48 home energy kits to residents. Each kit contained LED light bulbs, smart plugs, utility stipends and miscellaneous items to help lower energy costs.
That same month, we held public meetings across Tempe and met with residents to discuss the possibility of granting developers the option to voluntarily adopt the International Green Construction Code for their construction projects, so that they can build in a more sustainable manner.
Finally, as September started, the Tempe Sustainability and Resilience Commission announced the launch of the Rain to Roots program, a cityside strategy for using green stormwater infrastructure to combat extreme heat’s effects.
I am extremely proud of the steps Tempe leaders are taking toward a cleaner, healthier, and more beneficial future for our residents. All these policies will have numerous positive impacts.
Much like how I felt this summer’s unrelenting heat, I can feel the forthcoming positives in my bones.
The door to my office in Tempe City Hall is always open. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions or concerns at 480-350-8748 or email me at berdetta_hodge@tempe.gov.
