Spokane takes bold step towards climate resilience and sustainability

During a recent government meeting, Spokane officials discussed the establishment of a new Climate Resilience and Sustainability Board, aimed at enhancing the city's sustainability efforts and addressing climate change more effectively. The proposal, which has garnered support from various council members, seeks to broaden the scope of sustainability initiatives beyond mere planning to include actionable policies and comprehensive climate mitigation strategies.

Councilmember Dylan highlighted the urgency of the initiative, referencing Spokane's record-breaking heat in July and the preventable heat-related deaths in 2021. He emphasized the need for climate resiliency, particularly for vulnerable populations, and noted the city's collaboration with the Gonzaga Climate Institute, which recently received a $20 million grant from the EPA for climate planning.

Larry Lewton, a long-time sustainability advocate, urged council members to support the ordinance, citing the lengthy history of sustainability planning in Spokane. He pointed out that previous efforts had been stalled due to lack of implementation by past administrations. Lewton stressed that the new board is essential for meeting state requirements for the upcoming comprehensive plan due in June 2026 and for advancing Spokane's sustainability agenda.

The discussions also included the importance of incorporating a tribal liaison into the committee and ensuring fiscal analysis is applied consistently across all initiatives. Council members expressed optimism about the board's potential to drive meaningful change in the city's approach to climate issues, with plans to move forward with the vote on the ordinance.