Governor Lewis Named to TIME Magazine’s Top 100 Climate Leaders
GRIN Staff
Gila River Indian News
Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis has been named to TIME Magazine’s 2024 TIME100 Climate list, which honors leaders making a significant impact on global climate issues. Gov. Lewis, now in his fourth term as the leader of the Community, is joined on the list by prominent figures such as World Bank President Ajay Banga, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and Bill Gates, the founder of TerraPower.
TIME highlighted Gov. Lewis for his leadership in developing the Western Hemisphere’s first solar-over-canal system, a project that combines renewable energy generation with water conservation.
“As Governor of the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona, he is spearheading his vision of a ‘blue-green economy’ that prioritizes conserving water and producing renewable energy, with the ultimate goal of becoming a net-zero tribe,” the magazine noted.
Launched in October, the solar-over-canal project transforms a half-mile of irrigation canal into a dual-purpose powerhouse. Solar panels mounted over the waterway generate one megawatt of electricity - enough to light up hundreds of homes - while their shade helps prevent precious water from evaporating under Arizona’s scorching sun. The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act provided $5.65 million to bring this concept to life.
Drawing from O’odham agricultural traditions and teachings, Gov. Lewis has made protecting water resources (shudag) and promoting farming central to his leadership. His vision includes supporting new generations of Community farmers, keeping traditional practices alive while embracing modern technology.
Speaking to TIME, Governor Lewis stressed that Indigenous voices must be part of climate solutions. “Speak to your Indigenous leaders in your countries around the world,” he said. “I have worked and collaborated with many and I think it is fair to say that tribal leaders are committed to the values of climate activism in a deep way and have an innovative sense and approach that will prove valuable. In our experience, tribes should not just be consulted about these efforts, but when you bring us in and truly plan efforts with us, we bring real innovation and deliver results, as my Community has already done in a number of projects across our Reservation, not least our solar-covered canal projects.”
The initial solar canal’s success has already sparked bigger plans. The Community is designing a second solar canal project and developing a floating solar installation for a reservoir, expected later this year. These projects advance Gov. Lewis’s broader mission of fighting climate change while protecting vital water resources.
Before becoming Governor, Lewis served as Lieutenant Governor, focusing on long-term solutions for the Community. Under his leadership, the Community launched Management Aquifer Recharge sites, which help ensure water access while restoring natural areas crucial for farming and wildlife. These efforts to revive the Gila River carry special meaning, as the river holds deep cultural significance to many Community members.
“As Governor of a sovereign Indian tribe located in central Arizona, I am confronted every day with the impacts of an environment that is experiencing rapid aridification,” Lewis told TIME. “In addition to attacking the root cause of climate change through expansive renewable energy investment, the federal government needs to institute a “moonshot” effort to address the aridification of our country and the world, challenging tribal, local and state governments, companies, academics, and individuals to bring innovation and best practices for ways to live smarter with the water resources we have in the areas we live.”