By Johanna Rosalye Luna
PHOENIX — Arizona leaders and sustainability advocates gathered Friday to urge Congress not to scale back federal funding for climate resilience and energy assistance programs, warning that such cuts would jeopardize public health and financial stability for millions of residents.
Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA), in partnership with Arizona Forward, Audubon Southwest, and the Climate Action Campaign, underscored the life-saving role of federal investments in clean energy and cooling solutions.
“Phoenix is living the reality of deadly extreme heat,” said U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03). “We’ve already seen a record number of extreme heat days this year, and August is on track to be the hottest on record, with temperatures hitting 110°F nearly every day. This is a public health crisis.”
Ansari pointed to legislation introduced in Congress aimed at addressing extreme heat, including the LIHEAP Parity Act of 2025 and the Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act. She emphasized that continued federal support is critical to lowering energy costs and protecting vulnerable populations.
David Hondula, director of the City of Phoenix’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, highlighted the growing strain heat places on both infrastructure and public health. Local leaders argue that programs funded through federal climate initiatives have helped residents better weather the summer with access to energy-efficient cooling systems and lower utility bills.
“Extreme heat is Arizona’s number one climate threat,” said William Donato, interim CEO of AZSA. “Federal funding ensures that vulnerable communities can afford clean energy upgrades, stay safe, and protect their health. Cutting these programs would leave too many Arizonans behind.”
Arizona Forward President & CEO Lori Singleton said the state is uniquely positioned to lead on climate resilience, particularly in clean energy development. “By leveraging federal investments and innovative clean energy solutions, we can protect public health, lower costs for families, and build a stronger, more sustainable future,” she said.
The event also brought attention to the ecological impacts of climate change. Danny Roper-Jones, director of the Rio Salado Audubon Center, referenced the 2025 State of the Birds Report, which found that birds and wildlife are increasingly affected by rising temperatures and habitat loss.
The message is clear: pausing or cutting climate-related federal funding could have dire consequences—not just for the environment, but for public health and economic stability in one of the fastest-warming states in the U.S.
“Arizona communities, ecosystems, and economies are already feeling the heat,” said Sam Draper, Arizona Policy Manager with Audubon Southwest. “Now is not the time to pull back.”
For more information about the organizations involved, visit www.azsustain.org, www.arizonaforward.org, and southwest.audubon.org. ◆
Discover more from En Breve News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
