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For the past eight years, I advocated for city officials to update Tulsa’s 2011 Sustainability Plan , which promotes energy and water conservation, renewable energy generation, improved air quality, waste reduction, recycling, and clean tech jobs. I urged them to follow through on the environmental and natural resource-related goals and strategies established in PlaniTulsa . I reminded them that thousands of community members and subject matter experts provided input into these plans.
I connected the dots between high energy costs and low-ranking equality indicators like the use of same-day pay loans, health disparities and high eviction rates. People are also reading..
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I shared the results of an air quality perception survey I conducted in three neighborhoods downwind from oil refineries, indicating health concerns about airborne toxins. During those years, city officials responded to multiple challenges, including COVID-19, the Human Rights Watch report citing racial bias in Tulsa Police outcomes, and calls for justice and reparations for Tulsa Race Massacre survivors and descendants. Extreme weather events — including Arkansas River flooding, destructive winds, excessive heat and regional and national wildfires — tested Tulsa’s resiliency.
Realizing the enormous responsibilities faced by city officials, I resolved to remain “pleasantly persistent and positively stubborn” and not give up too soon. Folks would often cynically inquire, “Do you really think anyone at City Hall will listen to you?” I would mildly chastise them, asking, “Why are you raining on my parade? Besides,” I’d tell them, “the seeds of sustainability are already planted!” Some are sprouting. Partial funding was allocated for a sustainability planner at the city of Tulsa.
PartnerTulsa, along with local and nonprofit partners, received $100,000 from the Department of Energy to expand Tulsa’s energy sector to include a hub for clean energy companies, from manufacturing through recycling. Other seeds were sown by INCOG’s Office of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, which surveyed organizations and community members in 2023 to identify priority measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions , including planting more native trees, recycling and composting, upgrading energy efficiency at wastewater facilities and for low-income residents, and updating more energy-efficient building standards and codes. These examples highlight efforts already being led by the city of Tulsa, PartnerTulsa and INCOG to strategically grow local sustainability, clean tech and resilience initiatives.
So I say, “Go ahead, naysayers, bring on the rain! The seeds are taking rooting in the soil!” A milestone was reached on March 5 when Mayor Nichols signed an executive order announcing the establishment of the Tulsa Sustainability Taskforce, which will focus on implementing PlaniTulsa’s key sustainability goals by engaging residents, nonprofit and business stakeholders, and tribal governments. By examining best practices from other American cities and accessing available funding sources, an actionable plan will be created. Mayor Nichols has stated, “Every kid in our community deserves a chance at a bright future.
” The Tulsa Sustainability Taskforce can also help make sure it is also environmentally healthy and sustainable. After all, children are disproportionately harmed by pollutants because of their smaller body weight and immature immune system. Exposures can have long-term health consequences, including cancer and asthma.
Three quarters of 10,000 teens and young adults surveyed in 2021 reported feeling betrayed by adults and especially government officials, for not doing enough to curb climate change. Mayor Nichols can help restore that trust. Tulsans must prioritize actions to preserve a healthy planet and a thriving economy for children today and future generations.
Much like seeds, children reach their highest potential when given the necessary conditions they need to flourish, including clean air and water and a stable climate. Ginnie Graham Show: Making sense of Oklahoma’s mental health cuts.
