BY TYLER BUTLER
On April 22, 2025, Green Living Magazine hosted its 4th Annual Future of Sustainability event at Heritage Highlands in the Lawrence Building, bringing together changemakers, policy leaders, and innovators for an Earth Day gathering focused on transforming vision into action. This event stood out as an authentic demonstration of environmental leadership in the Southwest, moving beyond superficial greenwashing to emphasize community, collaboration, and tangible progress. City of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, returning for her fourth consecutive year to deliver opening remarks, set the tone for the day.
“It’s been exciting to see how sustainability evolved over the past four years. We just went to our voters, who overwhelmingly approved a ten-year plan stating our ambition to be the most sustainable desert city,” she said. With 79% voter approval, Gallego underscored that Phoenicians are not just ready for change, they are demanding it.
“The stakes are so high, but we understand that in Phoenix, and that’s why we’re leading,” she added. The event’s programming was curated to spark curiosity and provide actionable insights, with robust panels on energy, transportation, soil health, and water conservation. Throughout the day, participants were reminded that sustainability is not just about environmental stewardship; it’s about improving lives today.
Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller highlighted the importance of regional mobility and infrastructure, saying, “Being at the Green Living Earth Day celebration has been a great opportunity to connect with our ‘why’ at Valley Metro. It’s not just about providing transit—it’s about connecting people to opportunity, improving air quality, and building a stronger community.”
Councilwoman Laura Pastor illuminated the challenges of water conservation in agriculture.
“We think about water, and the first thing we think about is limiting its use in agriculture… But if we can’t grow, we have no food. So how do we conserve and still produce quality crops?” Pastor’s remarks highlighted the need for sustainability efforts to balance environmental protection with food equity and local economics.
The event featured diverse voices, from state decisionmakers to grassroots organizers, each offering solutions. One standout was the panel on data centers and energy, where Patricia Leyva, senior manager of sustainability stakeholder engagement at Equinix, joined Steve Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. Leyva emphasized, “It’s not just about storing information — it’s about doing so in a way that minimizes environmental impact,” underscoring the importance of sustainable infrastructure in a data-driven world.
A rapid-fire segment showcased electric mobility, with Mavrick Knoles of Legacy EV demonstrating the future of electric vehicles. Student architect Mariah Hoffman introduced her Shelter Thesis project, a regenerative design using hempcrete and solar orientation — an inspiring example of the next generation leading the charge. The event also highlighted efforts to build a more sustainable food and waste ecosystem. Pam Giannonatti of Fry’s Food Stores discussed the company’s national “Zero Hunger, Zero Waste” initiative. “We’re eliminating food waste by donating it,” she explained, stressing its impact on future generations.
The conversation deepened with insights from the Arizona Composting Council and Urban Farming leaders, who emphasized creating solutions that are both accessible and educational. Dr. Joe Roselle of Urban Farming Education added, “We actually have a curriculum that encourages kids to go into STEM education to help develop these ideas.” The culminating panel, which discussed water scarcity, brought urgency to the day’s discussions. Policy leaders, including Alexandra Arboleda and Kathryn Sorensen, addressed the scope of Arizona’s water crisis and the behavioral shifts needed to preserve this vital resource.
The event concluded with live music from WildeP’lay and a moving excerpt from Anthropocene, an eco-dramaturgy by Vessel + Precipice Productions that explores the climate crisis and the escalation of consumption. The featured segment, “Plastic Rain,” offered a poetic reminder of the emotional and cultural resonance of sustainability. What made the Future of Sustainability event truly special was its ability to unite diverse voices across generations, sectors, and disciplines, elevating awareness into tangible strategies. It reaffirmed that while the climate crisis demands urgency, it also requires creativity, empathy, and inclusion.
