Arlington needs a leader experienced in making environmental progress. Arlington residents deserve to live in a safe environment where they can count on having access to clean air and water, and beautiful natural spaces. Butler Holmes Park is one of my favorite outdoor places in Arlington to take my granddaughter. She loves to run around under the shade of its tall trees. The peacefulness of moments that spaces like this create is key for our health and wellbeing, and must be preserved. To advance equitable environmental sustainability, I am a member of the Sierra Club and serve as the Chair of the Arlington NAACP’s Environmental & Climate Justice Committee. My leadership and environmental policy ideas earned endorsements in 2023 from the Sierra Club and Sustainable Mobility for Arlington County. 

While I am proud of how Arlington County has established itself as a leader in urban sustainability, Arlington must get serious about good stewardship of our environmental resources by giving County staff the tools and support necessary to initiate change. In support of Arlington’s sustainability goals, I am dedicated to implementing policies that reduce carbon emissions, protect natural resources and reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, increase climate resilience, and promote sustainable development, which may include:

• Expediting the county’s goal of fully electrifying its fleet by 2050 and exploring opportunities to decarbonize beyond vehicles (e.g., building power emissions). 

• Encouraging equitable, native tree planting, analyzing environmental impacts of all projects and policies, and adequately funding the Parks & Recreation Department so Arlington's beautiful natural spaces can be maintained. 

• Pivoting towards more renewable energy sources and integrating leading sustainability measures into building code, and ensuring that new buildings follow them.