Date: March 4, 2022
To: Senator Mark Kelly
Senator Kyrsten Sinema
Representative Tom O'Halleran
Representative Ann Kirkpatrick
Representative Raul Grijalva
Representative Paul Gosar
Representative Andy Biggs
Representative David Schweikert
Representative Ruben Gallego
Representative Debbie Lesko
Representative Greg Stanton
Dear Arizona Congressional Delegation:
The people of Arizona are being battered by the impacts of climate-change related extreme weather, with storms becoming more frequent, more damaging, and more deadly every year. A recent report issued by the scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) detailed more than 20 extreme weather events in 2021 that resulted in lost lives and damages exceeding $1 billion each[1]. Arizona was affected by three major disasters with an estimated cost of $250-500 million as well as 351 extreme weather events with an estimated cost of almost $105 Million[2].
We can still prevent the most catastrophic impacts. The potential costs of doing nothing, in lives and dollars, demand we act. These extreme weather events have inflicted unprecedented damage across the country. Last year, more than 40% of Americans were victims of extreme weather[3], an alarming fact that only demonstrates the urgency of action. We must take ambitious action to tackle the climate crisis, address environmental justice, and quickly expand clean energy and jobs and opportunity for all. Every day the Senate fails to pass the $550 billion in investments in climate, justice, and jobs, the cost of inaction only increases.
The House of Representatives has passed this legislation - the most significant investments in climate change, environmental justice, and clean energy in history - and it is time for the Senate to follow.
Climate cannot wait. We call upon Senator Sinema, Senator Kelly, and our Representatives in the House to push their colleagues in Congress to remove the political obstacles preventing passage of these critical investments. The obstruction today is holding back the health, environmental, and economic benefits these climate, justice, and jobs investments will provide to the American people.
With the permafrost melting in the Arctic rapidly and being so close to an irreversible tipping point, NO MORE PROCRASTINATION. ACT NOW.
Sincerely,
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
Arizona Climate Action Coalition
Arizonans for Community Choice
Arizona Faith Network
Arizona Health Professionals for Climate Action
Arizona Interfaith Power and Light
Arizona Public Health Association
Care for Creation Advocacy Committee
Citizens Climate Lobby - Scottsdale
Citizens Climate Lobby - Greater Tucson
Citizens Climate Lobby - East Valley
Citizens Climate Lobby - Far East Valley
Citizens Climate Lobby - Flagstaff
Climate Reality - Phoenix Area
Defend Our Future Arizona
Elders Action Network - Arizona Chapter
Elders Climate Action – Arizona Chapter
Garden For Humanity
Great Old Broads for Wilderness
Keep Sedona Beautiful
Kids Climate Action Network
Mi Familia Vota
Moms Clean Air Force
Northern Arizona Climate Change Alliance
Pima County Civic Education Organization
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Arizona Chapter
Physicians for Social Responsibility - Tucson Chapter
Sierra Club - Grand Canyon Chapter
Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
The Arizona Ground Game (TAGG)
Tierra Strategy
Tó Nizhóní Ání
Tucson Audubon Society
Union of Concerned Scientists
Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona
Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Environmental Action Team
Vote Solar
Yuma Audubon Society
Elected Officials
Tempe Councilmember Lauren Kuby
Tempe Councilmember Jennifer Adams
Randy Miller - Salt River Project Board of Directors
Representative Andres Cano, Arizona House of Representatives, LD3
Representative Morgan Abraham, Arizona House of Representatives, LD10
Representative Andrea Dalessandro, Arizona House of Representatives, LD2
Representative Christian Solorio, Arizona House of Representatives, LD30
Senator Rosanna Gabaldón, Arizona State Senate, LD2
Senator Stephanie Stahl-Hamilton, Arizona State Senate, LD10
Senator Christine Marsh, Arizona State Senate, LD28
1. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2022). https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/billions/, DOI: 10.25921/stkw-7w73
2. ibid
3. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Storm Events Database, 1/24/22