Beginning last week, representatives from Hermosillo, Mexico and Dubuque met in Mexico to begin talks for the Cities Forward Program.
Dubuque Director of Sustainability Gina Bell says the goal of Cities Forward is to address climate change. Attendees focused on finding challenges and brainstorming solutions.
"We want to advance equity. And we can do that through climate action, by reducing energy burdens, and making alternate transportation feasible. This goes beyond city hall walls, this is for our whole community."
Representatives from Hermosillo and Dubuque discovered using natural resources may help reduce climate-based issues.
"Both of us have plans to increase our tree canopy, plant a lot of trees over the next several years and use the trees to help lower heat island effects. And, to help with cooling our cement and our streets, and they help with how things look."
During the next three years, the partnership will hold virtual planning sessions, engage local communites for input, and address chronic issues to avoid larger disasters in the future.