Phoenix’s mayoral candidates have different definitions of sustainability.
ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability and Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a Phoenix mayoral debate at the AE England Building as part of ASU’s Case Critical Series to address the candidates’ views and plans to advance sustainability in Phoenix. Political consultant Wes Gullett and City Councilman Greg Stanton, the candidates of a November runoff election, both participated.
Rob Melnick, executive dean of the Global Institute of Sustainability and facilitator of the event, opened the debate by asking the two candidates what they think it means to become the most sustainable city in the world.
Gullett responded first.
“My view of it is that we need to have a sustainable economy first,” he said.
While stressing the importance of industries influencing the economy, he said energy is one of the industries that Phoenix needs to focus on.
Gullett said he believes in a variety of sustainability solutions, adding “sustainability goes across many segments.”
Stanton followed with his own view of what it means to be sustainable on a worldwide scale.
“When we think about land use, sustainability needs to be the top of the line,” he said.
“I don’t think we are in competition with those other cities,” Stanton said. “I want the United States to be ranked number one in sustainability.”
Which programs in place in Phoenix that could be improved was another question poised to the candidates.
Gullett said the city should work with ASU to decide what sustainability programs Phoenix should follow through with, saying he wanted as much input as possible.
“I want to partner with the Global Institute of Sustainability to make sure we get it right,” he said.
Stanton said he agreed with Gullett’s point of more public input before levying his own points, saying the city needs to be more accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians.
He also said Phoenix needs to buy the remaining portion Sonoran Preserve in danger of development.
“Our kids and grandkids will never forgive us if we don’t buy that beautiful land,” he said.
Stanton also said Phoenix needs to be a leader for sustainable and solar energy, adding the city should consider providing subsidies for “green jobs.”
Gullett disagreed with Stanton’s idea of subsidies, saying Phoenix already has valuable assets, including land and infrastructure.
“We need to lower the cost overall so we can attract all kinds of businesses,” he said.
Stanton’s rebutted, saying Bioscience Union High School and the Mayo Clinic built their facilities in Phoenix because of city investments.
“We made research and education our highest priority and are already seeing a return on our investment,” he said.
Melnick continued the debate, turning the topic to reducing greenhouse gases.
Gullet said living closer to work is one solution. He also said if people have a car that lasts longer, instead of the car going to a landfill, they can reduce people’s carbon footprint. Both those solutions, he said, connect to his original point of focusing on the economy.
Stanton’s response included a need for a renewable energy plan.
“You’re not going to make change unless you place tough restrictions on emissions,” he said, adding that supporting sustainability would ultimately help the economy.
When asked about the sustainable food movement happening in Phoenix, Gullett replied urban gardening can be an important way to effect sustainability.
“I garden all the time,” he said. “I grow my own fruit, I grow my own vegetables and I plant a tree every year.”
Gullet commented that nothing feels better than to grow your own tomato and enjoy it in a B.L.T. sandwich.
Stanton also stressed the importance of eating locally grown foods.
“We don’t need trucks driving in from wherever,” he said.
When asked whether they believe in global warming, both agreed that the climate was changing. Gullett said he was skeptical about the scientific explanation but said greenhouse gases do need to be reduced.
In response to Phoenix’s potential responsibility to regionally enforce sustainability, Stanton said the job of mayor doesn’t stop at the four walls of city hall.
“We are regional, and we are going to sink or swim as a leader,” he said.
Gullett said an efficient regional transit system could be the answer, and Stanton suggested expanding the light rail to other cities.
In their closing remarks, both candidates restated their ambitions for the mayoral office and their plans to advance sustainability as they defined it.
Stanton said sustainability is not a list of programs that sits on a shelf and is forgotten.
“I’m going to have a sustainability advocate in the mayor’s office,” he said. “Sustainability has to permeate through every decision of the city.”
In Gullett’s closing remarks, he said he wants to have sustainability, but he wants to have a sustainable economy as well.
“People are suffering,” he said. “People are without jobs. We need to get government out of the way. We need to lower the costs for small business.”
Contact the reporter at dmzayas@asu.edu
