Beth Zigmund
Candidate for City Council, South Burlington, VT
Beth Zigmund, MD is a physician and a climate advocate at the local, state, and federal level, actively engaged in work where public health, sustainability and policy intersect. She is running to serve on South Burlington’s City Council, where she feels she can have the greatest impact. She is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and chairs its Communications sub-committee.
Beth is a member of the American College of Radiology Sustainability Committee and co-authored the ACR climate and sustainability resolution that led to the creation of a standing committee. She is also an active member of the Vermont Climate and Health Alliance. If elected, Beth plans to improve public transportation, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and energy efficiency for residents of South Burlington, as well as help craft a robust climate resilience strategy for the city.
Beth’s Vision
Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience
South Burlington is already a national leader in climate action. There is still much to do to meet our targets, accelerate reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure that climate actions are equitable and fiscally responsible. Additionally, we must respond to the climate impacts already affecting our community. I will support efforts to strengthen South Burlington’s resilience by evaluating specific climate-related risks facing our city, including flooding, wildfire smoke, extreme weather, and heat; partnering with neighboring municipalities to build regional resilience; and leveraging VT state resources to enhance hazard mitigation planning, early warning systems, and emergency response programs. Increasing community resilience in the present is known to be far more cost effective in the long run than paying for the damages associated with climate events.
Transportation
As the population grows, South Burlington is already experiencing a significant increase in traffic congestion. To mitigate the impact of more vehicles on our roads, I will concentrate on improving our bike and pedestrian infrastructure. As a warm-season bicycle commuter, I understand the importance of contiguous bike and recreation infrastructure. Higher density housing in our city core has already had the positive effect of increasing bus utilization. I will support efforts to continue improving access to and utilization of public transportation.
Natural Resources
Protecting South Burlington’s remaining meadows, forests, grasslands, farmlands, and wetlands is essential. I would engage our local experts on how to best conserve these precious resources. These lands buffer flooding, filter pollutants before they reach Lake Champlain, improve air quality, support wildlife, sequester carbon, and provide shared spaces for everyone—regardless of income or background—to enjoy. At the same time, we must be better stewards of our developed land. Changing how we manage built spaces can significantly improve our quality of life and protect our natural surroundings. Expanding tree canopy, experimenting with alternatives to grass lawns, and reducing mowing frequency on publicly owned property are practical steps we can take now to sequester carbon, reduce pollution, cool neighborhoods, and protect wildlife. Additionally, this landscape is one of the primary factors that make Vermont, and South Burlington a desirable place to live and is one of our greatest assets.
"Local action on climate change is more critical than ever, as impacts mount and the federal government works to undermine solutions. Transformative policies are necessary at every level of government to reduce climate-warming pollution, protect us from climate-related harms, and ensure a livable world for future generations. As a City Councilor, I will prioritize maintaining our city’s strong momentum on greenhouse gas mitigation, help develop a robust climate resilience plan, and work to protect the natural resources that sustain us."
-Beth Zigmund
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