Arizona moms rally for climate, jobs, and justice on Earth Day.

To mark Earth Day 2022, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined a nationwide mobilization on Saturday, April 23, to crank up the pressure on Congress to pass historic, commonsense investments in climate solutions. The rally at the State Capitol in Phoenix featured Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3) as well as local climate leaders and activists. More than 400 people attended the event to deliver a singular message to our leaders in Washington, DC: We can’t wait any longer to tackle the climate crisis.

In coverage of the rally by the Arizona Republic, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinator Hazel Chandler shared the reason she advocates for climate action:

“I’m a new great-grandmother and I’m petrified about the future that she’s going to have. That’s why I won’t stop.”

Arizona moms join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to support strong standards for tailpipe pollution from trucks.

On April 12, 13, and 14, dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 18 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposal to clean up tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. EPA’s trucks proposal is a welcome step forward but doesn’t go far enough. At the hearing, moms asked EPA to further strengthen the standards for heavy-duty vehicle pollution, to better protect children, people with asthma, older adults, and other vulnerable groups from the health harms of air pollution.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinators Hazel Chandler and Columba Sainz, as well as a member from Sun City West, offered testimony. In her comments, Columba compared her childhood to her children’s:

“I spent all of my childhood outdoors. It has been really challenging to raise my kids indoors due to air quality.”

Read Columba’s full testimony HERE.

Arizona moms join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country at a virtual EPA hearing to support restoring the legal foundation of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

On February 24, 2022, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The mercury standards, finalized in 2012, are a public health necessity. They protect communities across the country from mercury and other harmful air pollution from power plants.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinators Hazel Chandler and Columba Sainz, as well as a member from Tempe, offered testimony. In her comments, Hazel talked about her experience dealing with families impacted by coal plant pollution while she was a regional director of the Arizona early childhood program First Things First:

“I heard repeated stories of parents whose children had severe developmental delays, behavioral and learning difficulties as well as health issues such as asthma. Most identified the increased air pollution from the Cholla plant in their concerns. They talked about living under a constant toxic brown cloud. The child development specialists and doctors were extremely concerned about the number of children with significant respiratory issues and developmental delays in this area. They were concerned about toxic substances such as mercury found in these children’s bodies.”

Read Hazel’s full testimony HERE.

Arizona moms join Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to tell EPA to set strong near-term standards for climate pollution from cars.

In August 2021, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined more than 30 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing about strengthening near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks.

Transportation is the largest source of climate pollution in the US, making up 29% of all carbon dioxide pollution. Cars and light trucks account for 58% of all transportation-related climate pollution, and 17% of total US climate pollution. The EPA’s proposal to cut climate pollution from cars in the near terms seeks to repair years of backsliding from the auto industry. Moms spoke out in favor of acting with urgency to accelerate the transition to zero-pollution vehicles.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz and her husband, Eduardo Sainz, offered testimony.

Let’s Get Rolling Electric School Bus Tour arrives in Arizona.

In the summer of 2021, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted electric school bus and transit events in Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson. These events were part of a nationwide push to upgrade old school buses with better technology to reduce children’s exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution.

Transportation is the largest source of global warming pollution in our country, which makes electrification of buses, cars, and trucks critical to solving the climate crisis. Electrifying our nation’s school bus and transit fleets will also clean up the air for everyone inside the bus, where harmful fumes may be concentrated higher than outside the bus.

On July 15, school bus manufacturer Blue Bird provided an electric bus for a demonstration in Phoenix and gave tours of the inside and outside of the bus. State Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios, State House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, Mi Familia Vota’s Ulisses Correa, Chispa Arizona’s Vianey Olivarria, and Blue Bird’s Albert Burleigh joined Moms Clean Air Force field organizer Columba Sainz for the tour.

Watch the Phoenix event HERE.

On July 28, Columba was joined by Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy, Flagstaff Business Attraction Manager Jack Fitchett, Babbit Ranches’ Jim Babbit, Tó Nizhóní Ání’s Adrian Herder, and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals’ Dara Marks Marino for an electric transit press event at Heritage Square in Flagstaff.

Watch the Flagstaff event HERE.

On August 11, Columba was joined by Arizona State Senator Kirsten Engel, Physicians for Social Responsibility’s Dr. Barbara Warren, Local First Arizona’s Michael “Mike” Peel, Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters’ Fabian Sandez, and Hotel Congress’s Todd Hanley for an electric transit press event at the Historic Train Depot in Tucson.

Arizona moms join members of Moms Clean Air Force across the country to tell EPA to slash climate pollution from cars.

In June 2021, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined more than 40 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 16 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s first climate-related public hearing since President Biden took office. The hearing was about EPA’s proposal to restore long-standing state authority to protect residents from climate pollution from cars—something the previous administration had stripped away. EPA wants to once again give California, and any states that choose to adopt California’s standards, permission to set stricter climate pollution standards for cars and light trucks.

Reinstating state authority to set tailpipe emissions standards is an important first step for reducing pollution from the transportation sector, the nation’s leading source of climate-warming carbon pollution.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz and her husband, Eduardo Sainz, offered testimony.

Arizona moms join elected officials to say it’s time for cleaner cars.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted a virtual press conference on February 25, 2021, to call on Arizona’s federal leaders to push for a transition to cleaner and pollution-free vehicles. Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Tempe Councilmember Lauren Kuby, and Phoenix Electric Auto Association President Jim Stack joined Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz in calling for U.S. Clean Car Standards and a transition to pollution-free vehicles.

With the transportation sector now the largest source of carbon pollution in the nation, all the speakers emphasized that we need policies that limit the pollution from cars, trucks, buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles. Increased air pollution is linked to making COVID-19 more deadly, particularly for Latino and Indigenous communities and other communities of color across Arizona.

During the press conference, Columba said,

“Low-income and communities of color are disproportionately impacted by air pollution and the climate crisis. About 1 in every 10 Arizona youth suffers from asthma, a number that is even higher amongst our state’s Latino communities and other communities of color. By moving to clean transportation, we’ll be able to provide better public health for our children and address these disparities in our communities.”

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joins Phoenix’s Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission.

In November 2020, the Phoenix City Council appointed Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz to the city’s Environmental Quality and Sustainability Commission. The commission is tasked with identifying environmental issues and problems affecting the City of Phoenix and recommending solutions to those problems to the City Council. In this role, Columba is working to ensure our children’s and our communities’ health are top priorities for Phoenix. She will serve a 3-year term.

Arizona moms join Moms Clean Air Force members from across the country to demand EPA protect our families from dangerous smog.

On August 30 and September 1, 2020, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined more than 50 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 14 states and DC to deliver testimony at the EPA’s virtual public hearing on ground-level ozone, or smog. Smog is a widespread and largely preventable form of air pollution that is a powerful lung irritant and asthma trigger. In July 2020, in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic, EPA chose to keep the standards for smog the same—in spite of strong evidence showing significant health harm at levels below the current standards—and opened a public comment period that would be considered notably short even if we were not in the midst of a global respiratory pandemic. This continues a disturbing trend at EPA, led by Administrator Andrew Wheeler, of sidelining science, ignoring environmental injustice, and stifling public participation in the rulemaking process.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz offered testimony.

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick joins our 2020 Stay In and Speak Out for Climate Action.

This year, we aren’t playing around. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we aren’t holding our happy, crowded, buzzing, and bubbling annual Play-In for Climate Action in Washington, DC. Instead, we’re asking legislators across the country to join us for virtual events and conversations with their constituents to talk about air pollution, climate action and what we can do to fight the climate crisis where we live.

On August 27, Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick joined Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz and a few of our littlest activists from Arizona’s 2nd District to discuss air pollution, climate change, and how the congresswoman is working to protect our families from these threats that impact health and well-being.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz is featured in “Phoenix Herstories” photography exhibit.

A task force of the Phoenix Arts & Culture and Women’s Commissions has selected Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz as one of 31 women honored in the “Phoenix Herstories” online photography exhibit. The 2020 exhibit is part of the city’s centennial celebration of a woman’s right to vote and includes video testimonials on why voting and community engagement matters. Columba was chosen because of her civic engagement and leadership in Phoenix on environmental and children’s health issues. She believes deeply that small communities can make huge impacts in the world and that moms advocating together for clean air and a healthy planet for their children are a powerful force.

Arizona moms join members of Moms Clean Air Force across the country to demand stronger protections against deadly soot.

In May 2020, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined more than 65 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 18 states and DC to deliver testimony at the EPA’s virtual public hearing on PM 2.5, or deadly soot. In April 2020, Trump’s EPA proposed to retain the current standards for particle pollution, ignoring science and putting thousands of lives at risk. Even in the midst of a national public health emergency from COVID-19, moms participated in the public hearing in record numbers. It’s one of many ways Moms Clean Air Force Arizona is continuing to engage in serious and consequential advocacy and outreach during the coronavirus pandemic.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz offered testimony.

Moms Clean Air Force helps Arizona push for bold climate legislation.

In November 2019, Congressman Donald McEachin (VA-04) introduced the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019 with Representatives Deb Haaland (NM-01), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01). This ambitious national bill aims to eliminate all climate pollution—including from transportation, electricity, buildings, and agriculture—by no later than 2050.

In the months leading up to the release of the bill, Arizona moms met with members of Congress across the state to urge them to join as co-sponsors. Moms Clean Air Force Arizona thanks Representatives Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), and Greg Stanton (AZ-09) for being among the over 150 original co-sponsors leading on this issue.

Click here to learn more about the bill.

Arizona Supermom Myrelis Diaz fights the rollback of the national methane standards in Dallas.

Moms Clean Air Force members from around the country testified in Dallas at the only EPA public hearing on the rollback of the federal methane standards. Among them was Arizona Supermom Myrelis Diaz. Diaz’s story was featured in the Dallas Morning News article “Feelings of ‘despair’: Climate change activists testify against EPA plans to roll back methane emissions standards.”

Arizona Supermom Claudia Faudoa defends Arizona families’ right to clean air at the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards hearing in Washington, DC.

In March 2019, along with dozens of Moms Clean Air Force members from more than 15 states, Arizona Supermom Claudia Faudoa testified at the only public hearing on the rollback of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in Washington, DC. Her poignant testimony was heard in Arizona and around the country on Public News Service, on Arizona PBS, and in other news outlets.

Trump’s EPA is working to undermine these lifesaving standards that prevent toxic mercury from poisoning babies’ brains. Moms Clean Air Force Arizona has been a leader in the fight against the proposed rollback. In addition to speaking out publicly in opposition, Arizona moms have met with their elected officials both in state and in Washington, made calls to their representatives urging them to take action, sent letters, and collected petition signatures asking EPA to withdraw the proposal.

Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego commits to fight the rollback of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

After meeting with Moms Clean Air Force Arizona in February 2019 in Washington, DC, Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) confirmed his commitment to fighting the proposed rollback of the Mercury and Air Toxics standards in a letter he sent to Moms Clean Air Force organizer Columba Sainz.

Organizing Latina moms through EcoMadres.

Launched in September 2018, the EcoMadres program brings Latina moms together to address issues of clean air, climate, and toxics that affect the health of Latino children and families. EcoMadres is a collaboration between Moms Clean Air Force and a number of partner organizations across the U.S.

Since fall 2018, we’ve hosted cafecitos around Phoenix to provide opportunities for the community to discuss air quality and climate change. And it is not just for the community: we also invite local officials to hear about the issues their constituents are concerned about. When the Covid-19 pandemic began, we started hosting cafecitos on virtual platforms, like Facebook Live and WhatsApp, to ensure our comadres continued to have a safe place to talk about the issues of climate change and justice.

Shedding light on climate impacts in Latino communities.

In the US, Latinos are disproportionately impacted by air pollution. Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz is on the frontlines, sharing her family’s story of asthma and air quality and amplifying the stories of Latinos across Arizona.

Over the years, Columba’s story and her work organizing Latina moms has been featured in several leading outlets, from Yale Climate Connections in 2018 (listen here) to Remezcla in 2019 (read here) to Parents Latina in 2020 (read here). Most recently, her work was profiled by Telemundo (watch here).

Protecting our families from mercury pollution.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona advocates for strengthening the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. As the EPA under the previous administration worked to roll back MATS, Arizona moms testified at EPA’s public hearing on the rule in March 2019 and met with members of Congress to enlist their support in fighting efforts to weaken it. Now we are working with the Biden EPA on a robust standard that safeguards Americans against pollution linked to brain damage in babies.

Connecting Arizona moms to local leadership.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona works to connect moms to their mayors and local city officials through Moms & Mayors. The program helps moms voice the changes they want to see to achieve healthier communities—whether through addressing local air pollution issues, adding community solar projects, or developing a strong city sustainability plan.

At the 2018 Moms & Mayors Program, over 130 Phoenix residents came together for a day of celebration and action.

We are a rapidly warming state.

In the fight against dangerous warming, there is a lot at stake for Arizona.

Three of the 25 fastest-warming cities in the United States are in Arizona—Tucson, Phoenix, and Prescott.

These cities are already hot; Phoenix is consistently the hottest large city in the country. Rising temperatures in these cities put Arizona families at risk from heat-related illness and death, especially outdoor workers, older adults, and young children who are more vulnerable to extreme heat.

Beyond rising temperatures, Arizonans also face higher wildfire risk, increasing droughts, and decreasing snowpack. This will not only put children and families at risk, but damage critical industries in Arizona, such as agriculture and the ski industry in northern Arizona.

Our children breathe polluted air.

Over 85,000 children in Maricopa County (Phoenix) have asthma. With an F grade from the American Lung Association for both ozone and particle pollution, these children face dangerous breathing days too often.

From 2018 to 2020, there were 109 code orange ozone days in Maricopa County.

We are working to educate parents on the links between asthma and air quality and fighting for stronger protections so that children in Arizona don’t have to play inside.

We have immense renewable energy potential.

There are few states better equipped than Arizona to curb statewide greenhouse gas emissions. Arizona ranks second of the states with the highest solar generation potential, trailing only Nevada, and as of 2021, it ranks fifth in net generation from solar. Arizona also has the capacity to increase wind energy production, mainly near the Mogollon Rim.

With immense potential to transition to renewable energy, Arizona has the opportunity to significantly reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions throughout the state. Moving to renewable energy would also help clean up Arizona’s air by reducing particulates, smog-forming pollutants, toxic mercury, lead, and arsenic—all of which are by-products of burning fossil fuels.

Past Events

September 2022

On September 20, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined our partners across the state to launch the Solutions for Pollution campaign, calling on the Biden administration to set the strongest possible standards to deliver solutions for air and climate pollution and protect our children’s health. Watch the replay.

August 2022

On August 15, Arizona Moms and partners visited Representatives Raul Grijalva, Ruben Gallego, and Greg Stanton to thank them for their support of the Inflation Reduction Act.

On August 11, Arizona Moms and partners delivered thank you messages to the offices of Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Kyrsten Sinema for their support of the Inflation Reduction Act.

On August 2, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinator Hazel Chandler joined our partners across the state to deliver petitions to Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema, urging them to support the Inflation Reduction Act.

July 2022

On July 21, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona state coordinator Hazel Chandler participated in a series of meetings in Washington, DC, with the staff of Arizona members of Congress and our partners at the Climate Action Campaign.

On July 1, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partners at the Sandra Day O’Connor US Courthouse in Phoenix to protest the Supreme Court’s decision to constrain EPA’s authority to limit climate-harming pollution from power plants.

June 2022

On June 29 and 30, Moms Clean Air Force joined our partner organizations to testify before EPA in favor of several waivers allowing California to set stronger tailpipe pollution standards for heavy-duty vehicles than federally required. Read Arizona state coordinator Hazel Chandler’s full testimony HERE.

On June 28, Moms Clean Air Force’s National Manager for Health Equity Almeta Cooper and Arizona coordinator Hazel Chandler joined Elders Climate Action for their monthly national call to talk about intergenerational climate action. Watch the replay.

April 2022

On April 23, Arizona Moms joined our partners across the state at the Capitol in Phoenix for a Fight for Our Future Rally to celebrate Earth Day.

On April 12, 13, and 14, dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 18 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its proposal to clean up tailpipe pollution from heavy-duty trucks and buses. Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinators Hazel Chandler and Columba Sainz, as well as a member from Sun City West, offered testimony. Read Columba’s full testimony HERE.

March 2022

On March 25, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona participated in Youth Climate Strikes across the state—in Phoenix, Tucson, Sedona, and Flagstaff. Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinator Hazel Chandler spoke about the important of supporting the youth climate movement at the strike in Phoenix.

On March 4, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, Arizona Interfaith Power & Light, and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments came together to March 4 Climate. Advocates walked together from Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s Phoenix office to Senator Mark Kelly’s office, delivering letters that highlighted the impacts of extreme weather on Arizona and urged the Senators to act on climate.

February 2022

On February 24, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined dozens of Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 15 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing on its proposal to restore the appropriate and necessary finding of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinators Hazel Chandler and Columba Sainz, as well as a member from Tempe, offered testimony. Read Hazel’s testimony HERE.

On February 14, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona delivered Valentine letters to Senator Sinema’s office in Phoenix, asking for her support of the critical climate investments in the Build Back Better Act.

On February 9, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter and partners for Environmental Day at the Arizona Capitol.

January 2022

On January 26, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona coordinator Columba Sainz participated in the Climate Can’t Wait National Town Hall, featuring Senator Ed Markey. She asked the first question of the night: “What can we do to help the Senate get around this delay on the Build Back Better Act?” Watch the replay and hear Senator Markey’s response.

EcoMadres Arizona coordinator Columba Sainz attended GreenLatinos’ virtual Winter Summit.

October 2021

On October 14, EcoMadres organizers and members across the country celebrated the program’s first three years. The virtual program featured EcoMadres in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, and Texas, who shared stories from their work fighting for a healthy climate in their local communities. Watch the replay.

On October 7, EcoMadres Iowa organizer Karin Stein hosted an upbeat, inspiring Hispanic Heritage Month concert full of Latin music and commentary in Spanish with English subtitles. The concert featured EcoMadres in Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, and Texas. Watch the replay.

September 2021

On September 23, EcoMadres national lead Cinthia Moore, Arizona organizer Columba Sainz, and Florida organizer Yaritza Perez gave a presentation to EDF staff on how they got started, what they are working on, and how having a Latino background shapes and influences clean air and climate work. Watch the replay.

On September 9, Moms Clean Air Force joined Plug-In America and Arizona leaders and EV advocates to call on Congress to #ActOnClimate and expand Tempe’s EV charging infrastructure. Arizona organizer Columba Sainz spoke at the event, along with State Representative Andrea Delassandro, Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans’ Dora Vasquez, Arizona Youth Climate Coalition’s Katherine Cohen, and Arizona Public Health Association’s Will Humble. Watch the replay.

August 2021

On August 25, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz and her husband, Eduardo, joined more than 30 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 13 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s public hearing about strengthening near-term greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and light trucks.

On August 11, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted an electric bus press event at the Historic Train Depot in Tucson. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.

July 2021

On July 28, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted an electric bus press event at Heritage Square in Flagstaff. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school and transit buses with better technology to reduce our communities’ exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.

On July 15, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted a demonstration of an electric school bus at Spaces for Opportunity in Phoenix. The event was part of Moms’ nationwide Let’s Get Rolling Tour, calling for federal funding to help localities upgrade old school buses with better technology to reduce children’s exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and climate pollution. Watch the replay.

On July 7, Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz hosted a Spanish-language advocacy training for young adults, titled Arizona Youth Leadership in Society, in Tucson.

EcoMadres Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz hosted a cafecito for moms in Tucson.

June 2021

On June 2, 2021, Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz and her husband Eduardo Sainz joined more than 40 Moms Clean Air Force staff and volunteers from 16 states and DC to deliver testimony at EPA’s first climate-related public hearing since President Biden took office. The hearing was about EPA’s proposal to restore long-standing state authority to protect residents from climate pollution from cars.

May 2021

On World Asthma Day, EcoMadres team and Corazon Latino hosted a conversation about air pollution, asthma, and how they impact Latino communities. Panelists included EcoMadres Nevada organizer Cinthia Moore, EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz, and EcoMadres Texas organizer Erandi Trevino. The conversation was moderated by Felipe Benitez, Founder & CEO, Corazon Latino. Watch the replay.

April 2021

On April 28, Arizona State University, the American Lung Association, and the City of Phoenix hosted a virtual screening of the documentary Unbreathable. The screening was followed by a panel discussion featuring Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz, Jennifer Vanos, Assistant Professor, ASU School of Sustainabilty, and Nancy Allen, Manager, Office of Environmental Programs, City of Phoenix. The discussion was moderated by Jon Ford, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Vitalyst Health Foundation.

On April 23, Moms Clean Air Force launched its Indigenous Voices virtual event series. The inaugural event was hosted by Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres Colorado organizer Shaina Oliver and featured Shelley Buffalo, Meskwaki, Food Sovereignty Branch Coordinator at Meskwaki Natural Resources, Iowa; Stephanie BadSoldier Snow, Ho Chunk & Meskwaki, Anthropologist and Community Organizer in Iowa; and Stephanie Hall, Diné, Executive Director of Tolani Lake Enterprise, Arizona. The topic of conversation was food sovereignty. Watch the replay.

On Earth Day, Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz joined Doug Bland with Arizona Interfaith Power and Light, Ulisses Correa with Mi Familia Vota, members of the AZ Youth Climate Coalition and Defend Our Future, and other climate activists for a workshop hosted by the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter about telling your climate story.

March 2021

As part of the GreenLatinos Virtual Fly-In to Capitol Hill, EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz met with staff in the office of Representative Ruben Gallego (AZ-7).

EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz hosted a virtual cafecito for Tucson moms to talk about environmental injustice, clean cars, and transitioning to clean energy.

On March 4, EcoMadres Iowa organizer Karin Stein moderated a virtual cafecito celebrating Women’s History Month featuring Chilean jazz singer Claudia Acuña and EcoMadres Arizona organizer Columba Sainz. They talked about motherhood, the power of Latina voices, and the reasons they fight for climate and social justice. Watch the replay.

February 2021

Moms Clean Air Force hosted a virtual press conference on February 25 to call on Arizona’s federal leaders to push for a transition to cleaner and pollution-free vehicles. Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Tempe Councilmember Lauren Kuby, and Phoenix Electric Auto Association President Jim Stack joined Moms Clean Air Force Arizona organizer Columba Sainz in calling for U.S. Clean Car Standards and a transition to pollution-free vehicles. Watch the replay.

December 2020

In December, members of Moms Clean Air Force and EcoMadres Arizona met with their members of Congress to encourage bold climate action in 2021. Arizona moms had meetings with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), and Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07).

On December 10, Moms Clean Air Force Arizona joined the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter and partners for a virtual roundtable discussion of the Paris Climate Accords and what they mean for Arizona communities and families, as well as the rest of the world. Panelists included Tempe Mayor Corey Woods, Senior Sustainability Scientist at Arizona State University Sonja Klinsky, State Representative and Senator-elect Kirsten Engel, and Daniella Lopez, a 15-year-old youth climate leader from Mesa. Watch the replay.

October 2020

To celebrate the second anniversary of our EcoMadres program, we hosted a special event with music, conversation, and highlights of the amazing work EcoMadres across the country have been doing to educate and mobilize Latino families on the impacts of air pollution and climate change. The bilingual broadcast on October 29 was co-hosted by two Latinas, Nevada organizer Cinthia Zermeño Moore and Iowa organizer Karin Stein. This celebratory program featured brief interviews on topics including the impact of wildfires on Latinos and the importance of the Latino vote, interspersed with Latin music, most notably the premiere of the song “EcoMadres,” featuring dozens of organizers and members of the EcoMadres team. Watch the replay.

On October 22, our EcoMadres hosted a powerful discussion on the passion and practicalities of voting in the Latino community. The event was moderated by Iowa field organizer Karin Stein In the first segment of the event, Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz, Nevada field organizer Cinthia Zermeño Moore, and Florida field organizer Yaritza Perez shared stories with Nicole Randall of Corazon Latino about voting and empowering others to vote. In the second segment, EDF’s Esther Sosa and Fair Fight Action’s Jose Morales offered resources and advice for planning your vote and making sure it’s counted this election and in every election. Watch the replay.

August 2020

Arizona moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone. Arizona organizer Columba Sainz urged EPA to follow the science and strengthen the existing rule.

On August 27, Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick joined Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz and a few of our littlest activists from Arizona’s 2nd District to discuss air pollution, climate change, and how the congresswoman is working to protect our families from these threats that impact health and well-being as part of our 2020 Stay In and Speak Out for Climate Action. Watch the video here.

On August 13, Congressman Raul Ruiz joined Moms Las Vegas organizer Cinthia Moore, Arizona State Representative Raquel Terán, and Mi Familia Vota’s Salvador Hernandez for an EcoMadres panel discussion on overlapping concerns in the Latino community around immigration, health, and our environment. With the full restoration of DACA in limbo along with 100 environmental rollbacks that weaken our clean air protections and public health made more fragile by COVID-19, the stakes could not be higher. The panel was moderated by Emilia Pablo, host of “Desde Nevada.” Watch the video here.

July 2020

In July, Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz began hosting a virtual story time on Thursday afternoons on Facebook Live. Her first book was Our House Is on Fire: Greta Thunberg’s Call to Save the Planet.

Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz joined Moms Clean Air Force organizers from across the country to offer comment in a meeting with OMB officials on the EPA’s proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ground-level ozone on July 8.

June 2020

On Friday, June 5, Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz began hosting a weekly virtual cafecito on WhatsApp. Arizona moms use this space to discuss pressing climate issues and the best ways to take action online.

May 2020

Arizona moms joined Moms Clean Air Force members across the country to testify in the EPA’s virtual hearing on its proposal to retain the current National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter. Arizona organizer Columba Sainz testified in favor of following science and strengthening the existing rule.

April 2020

On April 22, EcoMadres and Corazón Latino hosted a virtual Earth Day Cafecito: “Clean Air, Coronavirus, and the Latino Community.” Moderator Karina Martinez spoke to Iowa organizer, Karin Stein, Arizona organizer, Columba Sainz, and Nevada organizer, Cinthia Moore about coronavirus, the Latino community, and how advocating for strong protections from air pollution has changed during the pandemic. Watch the video here.

Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz was featured on “Under the Hat” with Mister G. Find the video here. Columba and her daughters appear around 10:12.

December 2019

Arizona EcoMadres hosted a cafecito with South Mountain Community College in Phoenix.

October 2019

Arizona Field Organizer, Columba Sainz, and the EcoMadres were invited to a City Council meeting to talk about the effects of air pollution on communities of color and low income families.

Members of Moms Clean Air Force from around the country including Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas testified in Dallas at the only public hearing on the EPA’s New Source Performance Standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Industry. Moms spoke out against the EPA’s plan to weaken methane pollution standards. Read more here.

Arizona Organizer, Columba Sainz, and the EcoMadres participated in a Townhall at Burton Barr Library with Elders Climate Action Network. During the Townhall, Columba had the opportunity to speak about her continued passion and motivation for advocating for clean air.

Arizona EcoMadres tabled at the Barrio Santa Cruz Fiesta, a community center celebrating their second anniversary, to share information about Moms Clean Air Force.

July 2019

Members of Moms Clean Air Force Arizona attended the sixth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

June 2019

Arizona EcoMadres hosted a press conference in Tucson in partnership with other environmental organizations. The focus of the event was to provide the community with 11 ways to help reduce air pollution.

March 2019

On March 18, 2019, members of Moms Clean Air Force Arizona traveled to Washington, DC to testify in support of the lifesaving Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) at EPA’s hearing on their proposal to undermine MATS.

January 2019

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona field organizer Columba Sainz met with her members of Congress in D.C. to communicate on the dangerous nomination of Andrew Wheeler to head EPA. On January 16, 2019, Moms Clean Air Force members (including kids!) attended Wheeler’s nomination hearing to make it clear that as an ex-coal lobbyist, Wheeler is unfit to run EPA. View photos from the meetings and hearing here.

December 2018

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted a “Health Cafecito” at Burton Barr Library in Phoenix.

October 2018

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted two Cafecitos in South Tucson focused on educating members on the Trump EPA’s attack on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted a Cafecito to celebrate the launch of EcoMadres in Phoenix.

September 2018

Field organizer, Columba Sainz attended the Mexican consulate where she spoke about the launch of EcoMadres.

Field organizer, Columba participated in a Clean Cars Conference with Defend our Future.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona participated in the People’s Climate Movement rally, where, along with a large group of volunteers, trees were planted!

August 2018

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona participated in the LULAC Youth Conference.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona presented on EcoMadres at the Mexican Consulate.

Field organizer, Columba participated in a press conference in Phoenix along with Sierra Club and other partners focused on clean cars.

July 2018

Field organizer, Columba spoke at the Univision Youth leadership program.

Members of Moms Clean Air Force Arizona attended the fifth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted an EcoMadres cafecito/house party.

June 2018

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted an EcoMadres cafecito/house party.

May 2018

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona hosted a Mama Summit in Phoenix. Moms, families and local elected officials united on May 12th for our first ever city-wide Mama Summit. Together, we worked with our local officials and Mayor Greg Stanton to build a healthier, safer, and cleaner Phoenix for the sake of our kids.  

April 2018

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona tabled at Rhodes Junior High-Latino Community fair.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona attended Dia del Nino at St. Anthony Catholic Church.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona participated in a televised town hall with Univision.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona celebrated Earth Day by joining City of Phoenix council member, Kate Gallego in an effort to plant 100 trees and 80 plants.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona attended the Divine Mercy “fiesta” at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Moms Clean Air Force Arizona partnered with Mi Familia Vota to present at a Citizenship workshop.

2022

• Arizona Republic, Solar jobs are coming to Arizona, and environmentalists, economists and engineers can’t wait
• Arizona Republic, Can an ‘army of moms’ slow climate change to spare their children a fossil fuel future?
• The Energy Mix, U.S. Boomers Mobilize to Support Climate Action
• Yahoo! News, Why Sinema insisted $4 billion for drought relief be added to Inflation Reduction Act
• The Arizona Republic, Will Kyrsten Sinema see the new climate and inflation bill as a good deal for Arizona?
• Yes! Magazine, Baby Boomers Mobilize Around Climate Change
• Nexus Media News, “We Want to Make Sure That We Leave the World Better Than It Is Now.”
• Modern Wellness Guide, Moms Are Fighting for Cleaner Air One Electric Vehicle at a Time
• AOL, ‘It’s not tolerable anymore’: Southwest residents endure more severe heat waves thanks to climate change
• Yahoo! News, ‘It’s not tolerable anymore’: Southwest residents endure more severe heat waves thanks to climate change
• AZ Central, Push for environmental justice in underserved communities gains traction in Arizona
• Arizona Mirror, Truck pollution is hurting our kids, and the EPA could do so much to stop it
• Arizona New Times, In Arizona, ‘Ground Zero’ for Climate Crisis, Activists Warn Time Is Running Out
• Arizona Republic, ‘We have time’: Activists, elected leaders call for climate action at Earth Day rally at Arizona Capitol
• Copper Courier, Arizona Schools Win Federal Funds for Cleaner School Buses
• 12 News, Arizona Youth Climate Coalition rallies at capitol for climate action
• New York Times, A growing force in the climate movement: Moms
• Daily Independent, Chandler: Arizonans need relief from air pollution, climate change
• Prensa Arizona Live, February 10, 2022
• Cambio16, Hasta los niveles más bajos de hollín pueden ser mortales
• New York Times, Even Low Levels of Soot Can Be Deadly to Older People, Research Finds

2021

• Latino Rebels, Senate Must Take Action on Climate by Passing Build Back Better Act
• Sierra, Arizonans to Senator Sinema: The Climate Crisis Can’t Wait
• MSNBC, Sen. Sinema’s Arizona constituents on her role in reconciliation negotiations
• Mother Jones, “Unaccountable and Unaccessible”: Sinema’s Green Supporters Feel Jilted
• Yahoo News, Climate advocates who backed Sinema exasperated by blocking of Biden bill
• The Guardian, Climate advocates who backed Sinema exasperated by blocking of Biden bill
• Arizona Republic, New EPA report confirms what South Phoenix’s residents of color know: Climate change discriminates
• Telemundo Arizona, Cambio Climático, Latinos En Acción.
• Glendale Star, Community calls for federal climate support
• Telemundo Arizona, Madre, activista e hispana; junto a su familia busca generar un cambio en la sociedad
• Peoria Times, Community calls for federal climate support
• Tempe Independent, Tempe Mayor Woods, Councilwoman Kuby call for bold federal EV investments
• Conecta Arizona, Diálogo no balazos
• La Onda, Conecta Arizona, August 19, 2021
• Entre Mujeres Radio, Pendiente Arizona, August 19, 2021
• Navajo Times, Flagstaff mayor, Tó Nizhóní Ání call for federal investment in clean transportation
• Press release, Tucson Elected Official, Local Businesses and Public Health Professionals to Call for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation
• Arizona Capitol Times, Children deserve clean air and a safe climate
• Conecta Arizona, DACA, medio ambiente y frontera
• Press release, Flagstaff Mayor Deasy, Tó Nizhóní Ání and Local Leaders to Call for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation at July 28 News Conference
• EFE News, Activistas piden en autobuses eléctricos más energía limpia al Congreso
• Press release, Arizona Elected Officials and Climate Justice Advocates to Call for Bold Federal Investment in Clean Transportation at Electric School Bus Event
• Press release, New Video on Electric School Buses Underscores Why Congress Must Support Bold Investments in Climate Now
• Noticias Ya, La lucha que emprende un matrimonio de Arizona por la calidad del aire
• Univision Arizona, Programa Especial sobre el medio ambiente y el cambio climático
• La Prensa de Houston, Rescatando el clima
• Univision, Cambio climático: hoy tenemos el deber de reconstruir lo que se destruyó
• Press release, Arizona Elected Officials and Clean Vehicle Advocates Say It’s Time for Cleaner Cars and Getting U.S. Clean Car Standards Out of Reverse

2020

• Cinco y Dos, Nuestra Casa Común
• Univision, Es hora de que nuestros líderes vuelvan a comprometerse a #ActuarPorElClima y sean firmes en la lucha
• AZ Central, Rivers, clean air, imperiled species: How Trump’s environmental rollbacks affect Arizona
• USA Today, Rivers, clean air, imperiled species: How Trump’s environmental rollbacks affect Arizona
• Arizona Mirror, Maricopa County’s air quality is awful. It doesn’t have to be that way.
• Front Page Live, ‘How do you tell your kid they can’t go outside?’: Columba Sainz is fighting for clean air
• Noticias Telemundo, Estas ‘ecomadres’ latinas luchan para que nadie tenga que elegir entre perder la salud o pagar la renta
• Aleteia, Su misión, salvar a los bebés desde el vientre materno y niños de morir por el aire envenenado
• Arizona Daily Independent, With Much Of The Planet On Lockdown, Earth Day Goes Digital
• Arizona Republic, 50 years after the first Earth Day, environmental activists confront another global crisis
• Cronkite News, With much of the planet on lockdown, Earth Day goes digital
• Arizona Public Media, EPA won’t expand pollutant rule — ‘mistake’ during COVID-19, critics say
• Parents Latina, Latino Children Are Affected the Worst by Air Pollution, but Parents Are Fighting Back
• Time, Trump Rollback of Obama Mileage Standards Guts Efforts on Climate Change
• AP News, New Trump mileage standards to gut Obama climate effort
• Mother Jones, Your City’s Air Pollution Could Make COVID-19 Even More Dangerous
• The Center for Public Integrity, A Likely but Hidden Coronavirus Risk Factor: Pollution

2019

• The Arizona Republic, Winter air really is worse in south, west Phoenix. Here’s why
• Remezcla, For These Latina Activists, the Struggle for Climate Justice & Racial Justice Must Be Fought Together
• Press Release, La División de Arizona de Moms Clean Air Force Aplaude la Introducción de la Ley de Economía 100% Limpia de 2019
• Press Release, Moms Clean Air Force’s Arizona Chapter Applauds the Introduction of the 100% Clean Economy Act of 2019
• Dallas Morning News, Feelings of ‘despair’: Climate change activists testify against EPA plans to roll back methane emissions standards
• AZ Big Media, How can we survive the dirty air in Phoenix?
• La Voz Arizona, Ambientalistas piden a senadora de Arizona Martha McSally más acción, menos palabras
• Press Release, AZ Moms Join Members of Congress on Capitol Hill as Part of Sweeping Movement for Climate Solutions
• Press Release, Moms Applaud New Bill to Cut Methane and Protect Arizona Families
• Phoenix Patch, Phoenix Mom Joins Protest Of EPA Plan To Ease Mercury Standards
• Cronkite News, EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists
• Arizona Daily Independent, EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists
• Tucson Sentinel, EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists
• Public News Service, Grassroots Activists Protest EPA Toxic Regs Rollback
• Daily Miner, EPA plan to ease mercury standards raises ire of moms’ group, activists
• Panorama Online, Madres Latinas del Valle preocupadas por el ambiente alzan sus voces en Washington DC
• Arizona mi Casa Radio, Interview with Columba Sainz of Moms Clean Air Force
• La Opinión, Madres latinas preocupadas por el ambiente alzan sus voces en Washington DC
• Cronkite News Arizona PBS, Arizona mom joins activists protesting Wheeler nomination to head EPA
• Facebook Live Interview with Adriana Ruggiero, Conversando con Columba Sainz y Gaby Rivera de la organización EcoMadres

2018

• Yale Climate Connections, Arizona woman organizes Latina moms to speak up on climate change
• Phoenix New Times, Trump’s Proposed Emissions Rule Will Choke Efforts to Clean Polluted Phoenix Air
• Cronkite News, Moms use play to fight for clean air 
• Univison, Play-In for Climate Action 2018 Media Clip 
• Univision Arizona, Video Clip