Hear from the Mayor of Austin, Kirk Watson, ahead of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies on 7 September
We must approach air quality as both an environmental concern and a fundamental public health priority.
We’ve learned a lot about air quality and health since I started my public service more than 30 years ago. At the time, East Austin residents were fighting a toxic tank farm located in a residential area that was home primarily to communities of colour. Residents reported chronic health problems including headaches, asthma, skin lesions, lung disease, and cancer issues thought to be linked to contamination originating from the storage facility.
In 1991, as the chairman of the Texas Air Control Board, the state agency responsible for air quality, I worked with the East Austin community to shut down this facility and created a statewide task force on environmental racism. Among other items, I also worked with the EPA to create the first-ever international air shed to address air quality in El Paso.
When I first became the Mayor of Austin in 1997, I started working with elected officials and business leaders from across the region to work proactively to improve air quality. The result, an agreement known as the Clean Air Compact, was signed in 2002 and set out actions that kept us in attainment with federal rules. The program worked well.
Today, our city faces significant challenges in maintaining clean air while grappling with the growth pressures from urban development. Last year, our region experienced 20 days where the air quality was unhealthy for those sensitive to poor air quality, which underscores the urgency of our commitment to innovative and collaborative solutions. We’re putting our time, money, and energy where it matters most. The voters of Austin approved a historic investment in our public transit system that will bring comprehensive bus and light rail options to our city while also fostering greater density within the city to get more Austinites out of their cars.
Austin is also leading regional efforts to coordinate climate planning and reduce emissions thanks to two important grants from the Environmental Protection Agency. These efforts will be key to developing and implementing strategies to improve our air quality in Central Texas. In particular, the funding awarded through the EPA will be used to promote the adoption of transit, carpooling, and active transportation — leading to long-lasting impacts on congestion and achieving our city’s goals around mobility and reducing air pollution.
Our partnership with neighbouring communities is vital to tackling these shared challenges effectively. Austin is proud to lead initiatives that inspire positive change and build resilience against climate impacts. By working together, we aim to set an example for others, ensuring that future generations will breathe cleaner air and enjoy a healthier, more sustainable city.
Sincerely,
Mayor Kirk Watson