Climate Mayors Welcomes New 2023 Steering Committee Members to Turbocharge Climate Action from Coast to Coast

Climate Mayors strengthens its Steering Committee leadership with the addition of the first African American female Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, and Atlanta Mayor and Deacon, Andre Dickens.

April 13, 2022 – Today, Climate Mayors welcomes two new mayors to its Steering Committee, Mayors Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Andre Dickens of Atlanta. From the West Coast to the deep South, Climate Mayors are working to bring clean energy, electrified transit, and decarbonized homes and buildings to cities across America. With their commitment to advancing clean energy and environmental justice across their cities, these mayors will be an incredible addition not only to the Climate Mayors organization, but also to the fight against the climate crisis at large. 

Cities account for over 70% of global emissions, making emissions reductions in urban areas critical to meeting climate targets. Coming from major metropolitan cities, Mayors Bass and Dickens provide the keen insight and expertise needed to tackle greenhouse gas reductions on a grand scale. With unprecedented federal support for climate action now coming available through the historic Inflation Reduction Act, these mayors are meeting the moment by accelerating implementation and leveraging funding.

Bass has already broken barriers as the first African American female mayor of LA, but her ambition doesn’t stop there; Los Angeles has long held robust climate goals and Mayor Bass is committed to meeting those targets. Advancing the clean energy economy, expanding access to zero-emission transportation, enhancing biodiversity and climate resiliency, and conserving natural resources are top of mind for Bass. Climate justice is also of focus and training workforces for prosperous, sustainable jobs – especially for frontline communities, under-resourced groups, communities of color, people with disabilities, and the elderly – ensuring people from all backgrounds are uplifted during the green transition. 

Mayor Dickens is prioritizing emissions and pollution reduction, environmental justice, and clean energy projects to meet the 100% clean energy by 2035 target for Atlanta. Existing successes include street and road improvements to increase biking and walking, infrastructure improvements to connect neighborhoods across Atlanta that have been historically divided, and supporting Atlanta Public Schools with the effort to secure funding to transition from diesel to electric school buses. Dickens recognizes that safe, equitable, and decarbonized infrastructure is a key component in achieving a sustainable Atlanta. 

Mayors Bass and Dickens are in good company alongside the returning Steering Committee members: Buddy Dyer, Orlando, FL; Daniel Rickenmann, Columbia, SC; Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh, PA; Eric Johnson, Dallas, TX; Frank Cownie, Des Moines, IA; Indya Kincannon, Knoxville, TN; Jacob Frey, Minneapolis, MN; Jane Castor, Tampa, FL; Jeffrey Mims, Jr. Dayton, OH; Jim Brainard, Carmel, IN; Jim Hovland, Edina, MN; LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans, LA;  Lauren McLean, Boise, ID; Lioneld Jordan, Fayetteville, AR; Lucy Vinis, Eugene, OR; Michael Cahill, Beverly, MA; Michelle Wu, Boston, MA; Regina Romero, Tucson, AZ; Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio, TX and Tim Keller, Albuquerque, NM.

The Steering Committee works alongside the Climate Mayors’ Chair, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, and Vice-Chairs, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, to continue driving city-led climate action to create more sustainable, equitable, and healthy cities. Together, the Climate Mayors leadership team works to drive forward the mission and vision of the organization through cross-regional learning, strategic partnerships and creative climate solutions. With the leadership of Karen Bass and Andre Dickens, Climate Mayors is poised to take its climate commitments and achievements to new heights.

“Los Angeles has long been a leader in the climate fight and I am thrilled to join the Climate Mayors Steering Committee alongside fellow city leaders who know the importance of climate action,” said Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles, CA. “With support from Climate Mayors, I am excited to continue implementing high-impact climate solutions while prioritizing equity, environmental justice, and resilience in Los Angeles and beyond. There is no sustainability without equity.”

“As city leaders, we know that marginalized communities often experience impacts of the climate crisis first and worst,” said Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, GA. “In joining the Climate Mayors Steering Committee, I look forward to learning from and sharing ideas with fellow climate leaders. Together, we are committed to advancing the clean energy transition, improving green infrastructure, and uplifting historically disinvested communities in Atlanta as we continue to build a city built for the future.”

“The Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provide tremendous support from the federal government, creating an unprecedented moment of opportunity to act on climate change,” said Kate Wright, Executive Director of Climate Mayors. “The Climate Mayors organization is proud to welcome Mayors Bass and Dickens to its leadership team to help leverage this momentum and drive meaningful action in cities across the country. These two climate champions are ready to meet the moment with innovative local solutions that build thriving, sustainable and resilient communities of the future. We’re honored to have them on board.”

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About Climate Mayors:

Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network that has mobilized more than 750 U.S. mayors since 2014, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities. Representing 48 states and nearly 60 million Americans, the Climate Mayors coalition reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, please visit our website and follow climate mayors on Twitter and LinkedIn. For media inquiries please contact climatemayors@fgsglobal.com