San Francisco’s Mayor Lurie promised to focus on climate action with both words and funding, but many advocates feel that real progress is lacking. A significant concern has emerged: the mayor wants to cut funding for the Department of the Environment by 80%.
On a recent Wednesday, city hall became a hub of voices demanding change. Labor leaders, climate activists, elected officials, and residents gathered to defend the city’s Climate Action Plan. Their goal? To push back against proposed budget cuts that threaten these critical environmental efforts.
Zachary Frial, an organizer at the rally, expressed deep concerns. He believes the proposed budget would undo San Francisco’s commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. “The collaboration between labor and environmental groups is vital,” he noted. “Without adequate resources, we can’t sustain our leadership on climate issues.”
San Francisco has long been recognized as a climate leader. However, the potential cuts come at a time when extreme weather events and health risks are on the rise. For instance, recent studies show a 10-inch rise in sea levels over the past two decades. By 2080, parts of the city could face serious flooding risk. This underscores the urgency of maintaining strong environmental policies.
Nicole Appenzeller from Local 21 highlighted the human cost of these cuts. Job losses would directly impact efforts related to clean air, transportation electrification, and biodiversity. She warned, “Without our climate workers, achieving net-zero by 2040 becomes even harder.”
Speakers at the rally emphasized that budget cuts are not just policy changes; they pose immediate risks to public safety. Arieann Harrison, an environmental justice advocate, stated that access to clean air is crucial for all neighborhoods and must be prioritized. She reflected on the need for a solution-focused approach: “We cannot achieve our goals without the necessary funding and personnel.”
Experts in environmental policy are echoing these sentiments, stressing the importance of investing in climate initiatives. As cities around the world are enhancing their efforts to combat climate change, San Francisco’s fate hangs in the balance.
With so much at stake, the pressure is on the Board of Supervisors to reconsider these cuts. Many believe that failure to act swiftly could derail years of climate progress.
