El Paso, TX (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso\u2019s rising temperatures and increasingly early heat were top of mind for residents this week as the City Council approved a Climate Action Plan aimed at addressing climate change and local environmental concerns.<\/p>\n
Several people who spoke to KFOX14\/CBS4 said they have noticed the city getting hotter in recent years. <\/p>\n
One resident said, \u201cObviously, there’s been every year there’s record breakages for how hot it gets, and it just gets worse and worse and worse.\u201d <\/p>\n
Another said, \u201cI don’t know that I buy into the whole global warming thing, but it’s definitely getting hotter. And this is the hottest. I mean, summer started in February this year, which is very unusual.\u201d <\/p>\n
A third resident agreed, saying, \u201cThis year\u2019s more hotter. Ahh si. Yes, this year\u2019s more.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, the heat has also felt out of step with the calendar. <\/p>\n
One resident said, \u201cI feel like I never got winter.\u201d <\/p>\n
Another resident pointed to current and upcoming temperatures, saying, \u201cI mean, it’s like 90 degrees right now. It’s going to be in the mid-nineties this weekend. That’s not normal for the middle of March.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Climate Central, average El Paso temperatures have climbed by more than five degrees Fahrenheit since 1970, the third-highest rise in temperatures among cities nationwide. <\/p>\n
That trend was one of the factors leading the El Paso City Council to approve the plan this week.<\/p>\n
The Climate Action Plan is intended to address issues including rising temperatures, drought, and poor air quality.<\/p>\n
Christian Andrade reports on El Paso City Council approves climate action plan to address rising heat (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Some residents welcomed the move.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, it’s a good thing that people are doing something about it,\u201d one said. <\/p>\n
Another added, \u201cIt’s going to be good for El Paso. It’s great.\u201d <\/p>\n
Others supported the idea but raised concerns about costs. \u201cI think that sounds great. I just don’t want to pay more taxes for it,\u201d one resident said.<\/p>\n
Funding for the effort was previously approved by voters.<\/p>\n
In November 2022, El Paso voters approved a bond allocating $5.2 million to implement the Climate Action Plan. <\/p>\n
The city also received a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2023 that went toward planning.<\/p>\n
After two years of community meetings, the city decided to focus on steps such as making buildings more energy efficient and putting solar panels on public buildings. <\/p>\n
The plan also emphasizes expanding El Paso\u2019s tree canopy to add shade and improve air quality.<\/p>\n
Residents interviewed said more trees would be a welcome change. \u201cI love trees. That’s one of the things I don’t like about El Paso is there aren’t enough trees. So I think that’s definitely a positive. I think it will help,\u201d one said. \u201cThe trees are also going to help filter the air, which is a big plus.\u201d <\/p>\n
Another resident echoed that support, saying, \u201cI think more trees. I think more trees. We need more trees because for the air, you know, for oxygen.\u201d<\/p>\n
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