22. Tucson, AZ

Becoming Sustainable in the Sun Belt

Tucson, AZ: Becoming Sustainable in the Sun Belt

This burgeoning city in the Sonoran Desert, close to rugged outdoor recreation and blessed with warm weather, continues to draw new residents. But Tucson faces major challenges when it comes to sustainability, the most acute of which is water. Decades of groundwater mining has transformed the Santa Cruz River, which cuts through the city, into a mostly-dry riverbed, except when it rains. But Tucson officials are making progress on the water front: they already require rainwater harvesting on commercial sites and common areas of sub-divisions, and they’re drafting a residential rain water harvesting ordinance. Suburban sprawl is another issue for Tucson. Environment officials here are strategizing ways to rein in the city’s footprint -- like mandating sustainable, green development in the face of a powerful homebuilding lobby and old-timers’ keep-it-like-it-is attitude. Tucson’s chief sustainability officer says the city is doing a lot to harness solar energy as well, and that the region has the potential to become America ’s Solar Saudi Arabia.

Tucson is part of the national "Solar America City" program. (Photo by Zereshk)

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Tucson, AZ: City Charts
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Latest Comments
Ken O.
Ken O. says

See the City of Tucson's Office of Conservation and Sustainability:

http://www.tucsonaz.gov/ocsd/

Office Of Conservation and Sustainable Development
201 N Stone Ave
3rd... more »

more »

Green Biz in Tucson

The Hermitage Cat Shelter

The Hermitage Cat Shelter

The Hermitage is dedicated to the shelter, protection and care of homeless cats.

2 star rating Review by Jessica E.

The kitty holocaust.

The Hermitage Cat Shelter was one of Tucson's first no-kill no-cage sanctuaries providing permanent homes to needy cats with behavior or health issues and adopting out all others to loving homes. As... more »

Lovin' Spoonfuls

Lovin' Spoonfuls

A restaurant with more vegetarian options.

4 star rating Review by Rachel S.

great food

The restaurant is great but the prices are a little high for frequent visit. Great for special dates and treats. Need daily special for those without deep pockets. more »

Casbah Traveling Teahouse Event Rentals

Casbah Traveling Teahouse Event Rentals

Since 1992, the Traveling Casbah Teahouse has appeared around the country at festival & events.

4 star rating Review by Cris B.

Have Gyspy Wagon Kitchen & Bedouin Tents - Will Travel

Carol Ann Krueger has been traveling with her Casbah Teahouse to events and festivals around the country for the past 15 years. She carries a million dollar liability insurance policy, and sets up... more »

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Red Mayors vs. Blue Mayors

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Is there any link between political affiliation and sustainability policy? We ran the numbers!

...Cars in their present form are no more a permanent fixture of our built environment than were the oxcart, the chariot, or the horse and buggy. We happen to live in the historical apogee of the internal-combustion automobile, but even the smallest degree of historical perspective makes plain that it's merely a temporary visitor--and an increasingly troublesome one--on planet Earth. —Arrol Gellner, Architect and Writer

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