Her work in climate policy also extended to her role as a senior policy advisor at the United Nations, where she collaborated with international leaders to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Ansari’s contributions have been recognized through several accolades, including her inclusion in the Grist 50 list of environmental changemakers in 2019 and Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Policy and Law in 2020.
Phoenix City Council
In 2020, Ansari announced her candidacy for the Phoenix City Council, seeking to represent the city’s 7th District. The seat had been vacated by Michael Nowakowski, and Ansari emerged as a frontrunner in a competitive race. After advancing to a runoff election against Cinthia Estela, Ansari won and was sworn in as a council member on April 19, 2021.
During her tenure, Ansari championed innovative policies to address urban challenges, particularly those related to climate resilience. She established the Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, which focused on planting trees, reducing pavement heat absorption, educating residents, and distributing resources like water to combat extreme heat in Phoenix. She also advocated for the adoption of electric vehicles and the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric buses for public transportation. Her efforts to promote sustainability included attending the 2021 and 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conferences alongside Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego.