PRESS RELEASE: Mayors Showcase Climate Solutions That Improve Public Safety Amid Waning Federal Support
Local leaders highlight how investments in smart solutions are making cities safer places to live by meeting basic needs, caring for public spaces, and building resilience.
Washington, D.C. (March 4, 2025) – As federal support for climate action faces rollbacks and uncertainty, mayors are taking the lead in implementing bold solutions that protect their communities and build a more resilient future. Members of the Mayoral Public Safety Working Group supported by Climate Mayors, C40 Cities, and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) have engaged in information and resource-sharing efforts to trade best practices, initiatives, and programs that use climate action to improve public safety in local communities. Members of the working group hosted a press call to discuss how member mayors are engaging in collaborative efforts, including Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Climate Mayors Chair Emeritus and America Is All In Co-Chair, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, and Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans.
Case Studies:
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland’s Summer Safety Plan, a comprehensive approach to proactively address crime during the hottest months, resulted in a decrease in overall violent crime in 2024.
“In Cleveland, our Summer Safety Plan is a testament to the success of an all-of-government approach that prioritizes data-driven strategies. Since 2023, our city has seen significant drops in murder, grand theft-motor, and overall violent crime,” said Mayor Justin M. Bibb of Cleveland, Climate Mayors Chair Emeritus and America is All in Co-Chair. “Public safety is more than just supporting our law enforcement. It’s about collaboration to keep our roads safe, our public spaces clean, and our youth and residents engaged and proud to live here. Every Cleveland resident deserves to feel safe and that starts with building a more resilient city for all.”
Mount Vernon, NY
Mount Vernon is bringing together all departments across the city — including aging, fire, public works, and police — to launch the Summer of Safety initiative to address rising crime rates, particularly during hot summer months, by investing in public green spaces.
"Mount Vernon is committed to fostering safer, stronger communities by confronting the root cause of violence and prioritizing the well-being of all residents. Our Summer of Safety initiative strengthens public safety through reimagined public spaces, creating a vibrant, more connected city.” said Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “By investing in our parks and offering residents positive outlets, especially during hot summer months where crime tends to increase, we are building the foundation for a more safe Mount Vernon.”
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is building a network of resilience hubs, to offer commercial-scale solar power and back-up capacity during blackouts or extreme weather events. The City is partnering with Together New Orleans to expand the Community Lighthouse Project and install solar arrays at community institutions including congregations, civic institutions, and non-profit organizations. In normal times, the solar array can help defray the cost of electricity, and if the wider grid goes down, the facilities have battery storage to restore power and allow these institutions to respond to immediate community needs.
“New Orleans is a city of strength and resilience, and our Community Lighthouses are turning that spirit into action,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “The Community Lighthouses are more than just safe spaces for our residents after extreme weather—they're lifelines for our communities, strengthening energy independence and delivering essential support when it's needed most. By investing in more sustainable and resilient solutions, we’re not only preparing for the next emergency—we’re keeping our residents safe and building a stronger New Orleans.”
Philadelphia, PA
The city of Philadelphia is taking bold and innovative steps to promote safer streets through its Philly Streetlight Improvement Project (PSIP). The citywide project to convert the city’s streetlamps to better and brighter LEDs has shown the benefits of improving public safety while creating jobs and cutting costs.
“My mission is to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest, big city in the nation, with economic opportunity for all. As a cost-neutral, job-creating initiative that both reduces emissions and enhances public safety, our Philly Streetlight Improvement Project (PSIP) checks all of those boxes at once. A study by the University of Pennsylvania's Crime and Justice Policy Lab shows 15% reduction in crimes overall, including a 21% decrease in gun crimes, on blocks where old streetlights have been replaced with brighter, more efficient LEDs. Meanwhile, the project is projected to reduce municipal emissions by nearly 10%. This initiative, combined with our ambitious goal to plant 15,000 trees and our One Philly, United Citywide Cleaning Program, demonstrate how our sustainability initiatives are improving safety and wellbeing in our neighborhoods.” said Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.
Rochester, NY
Rochester is investing in water infrastructure and lead removal programs to safeguard one of the most vital resources, ensuring the health and security of residents: water.
"Ensuring safe, clean water for all Rochester residents is at the heart of public safety and community well-being,” shared Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans. “Just as access to safe housing, good jobs, and clean air makes our neighborhoods stronger, so too does our commitment to safeguarding the spirit of our city—our water. By embracing our unique water assets, we are building a healthier, safer, and more vibrant Rochester for generations to come."
Tampa, FL
In Tampa, Mayor Jane Castor is focused on building stronger communities by progressing stormwater and resilience projects. As Tampa experiences rising temperatures and stronger storms, the city is building smarter and greener infrastructure that reduces flooding and creates cooler conditions in parks and on sidewalks during hot days. A $36.6M bond has allowed Tampa to complete projects such as the El Prado storm garden that are addressing vulnerabilities in the city’s central and lower basins most susceptible to flooding.
"In Tampa, we see the impacts of climate change every day, from rising temperatures to stronger storms. But we also see an opportunity to lead. That’s why we’re not just talking about resilience, we’re making it part of everything we do,” said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. “With a full-time Resilience and Sustainability Director, a Climate Action and Equity Plan guiding our decisions, and a commitment to greener infrastructure, we’re building a city that’s stronger, safer, and more sustainable. Every step we take today protects our future.”
Connecting Public Safety and Climate Action
Investing in climate action goes hand-in-hand with investing in public safety. Climate solutions are critical tools for addressing core public safety concerns, including reducing crime, creating clean and vibrant public spaces, and protecting residents from harm during extreme weather. The working group has identified three core focus areas for implementing programs and initiatives where climate action and public safety intersect, including:
Basic Needs: A safe city is also one where residents have their basic needs met, from access to nutritious food, well-paying jobs, safe housing, and clean water and air. Across the country, mayors are improving public safety by meeting the basic needs of every resident through climate-smart solutions, such as investing in building green, affordable housing, reducing air pollution, and creating jobs in the rapidly growing green economy. These efforts help to ensure their residents are safer by avoiding hunger, exhaustion, disease, injury, and financial struggle.
Public Spaces: Caring for public spaces is essential for the safety and sustainability of communities. Well-designed streets protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike, and prioritizing road safety measures reduces accidents and injuries. Planting trees and caring for public parks encourages community engagement, boosts foot traffic, and generates positive economic impact for local businesses. In a comprehensive review of 45 studies, the International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health has shown that parks and trees significantly reduce city crime.
Resilience: The impacts of climate change, including the increase of extreme weather events and an increasing number of extremely hot days, pose significant risks to individuals across America and require forward-thinking solutions to ensure residents’ safety. In 2024, the U.S. experienced 27 confirmed weather and climate disasters costing at least $1 billion in damages, which added financial stress to local economies. Whether it be rising temperatures, increases in flooding, or the growing prevalence of wildfires, local leaders are taking proactive steps to ensure their cities are better prepared to face these challenges and residents' safety remains paramount.
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About Climate Mayors
Climate Mayors is a bipartisan network of nearly 350 mayors, demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities since 2014. Representing 46 states and nearly 60 million Americans, Climate Mayors reflects U.S. cities’ commitment to climate progress. For more information, visit our website and follow Climate Mayors on X, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.
Media Contact: climatemayors@fgsglobal.com
About C40 Cities
C40 is a global network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities working to confront the climate crisis. Mayors of C40 cities employ inclusive, science-based, and collaborative approaches to cut their fair share of emissions in half by 2030, help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C, and build healthy, equitable, and resilient communities.
About the Urban Sustainability Directors Network
The Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) is a peer-to-peer network of local government professionals from communities across the United States and Canada dedicated to creating a healthier environment, economic prosperity, and increased social equity.