Moms in California - Moms Clean Air Force

Moms are working in California to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns. Please join us in California, and let us know about your priorities.

What We’re Working On

Tell Governor Newsom: Lead on Climate Safety

It is more important than ever for states to act on climate change. States—and their governors—can be powerful leaders in building a clean energy economy. That’s why we’re asking Governor Newsom to keep stepping up to slash climate pollution, protect children’s health, and ensure clean air for all communities. Our future depends on it.

Take Action

Meet Your California State Organizer

Elizabeth Hauptman

Elizabeth is the Moms Clean Air Force field coordinator in Brighton, Michigan. She also coordinates volunteer engagement for Moms across the U.S. She serves on Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s Environmental Advisory Board, the Brighton Area Chamber Environmental Council, and the Citizens’ Advisory Workgroup of the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team. Elizabeth’s work with Moms is deeply personal because her son suffers from asthma and is affected by poor air quality.

Pictured: Moms in support of mercury regulations. Elizabeth Hauptman fourth from left.

Contact Elizabeth

Highlights

Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán and EcoMadres take action to protect Latina maternal health. EcoMadres joined Representative Barragán in Washington, DC, at a press conference to introduce the Protecting Latina Maternal and Infant Health Resolution, which recognizes the threat of extreme heat and air pollution to Latina pregnancies. Read more.
Moms join California Congressman Jared Huffman to celebrate medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles. “All kids should have clean school buses,” said Kids Clean Air Force member Margot (age 9) at CALSTART’s EV Showcase in September 2024. Along with Congressman Huffman, the event featured White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, Senator Ed Markey, and Representative Jennifer McClellan.
California moms testify in support of stronger EPA carbon pollution standards. In June 2023, Moms Clean Air Force California volunteers joined more than 70 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 22 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for carbon pollution from power plants. These important protections were finalized in April 2024.
Congressman Raul Ruiz joins EcoMadres for a conversation about immigration, health, and our environment. In August 2020, Congressman Ruiz sat down with EcoMadres Las Vegas organizer Cinthia Moore, Arizona State Representative Raquel Terán, and Mi Familia Vota’s Salvador Hernandez for virtual cafecito about overlapping concerns in the Latino community around immigration, health, and our environment. Watch the replay.
Moms amplify the power of women in fighting for climate safety at international Global Climate Action Summit. The Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco convenes leaders from around the world who are aiming to “take [climate] ambition to the next level.” At the 2018 summit, Moms’ Dominique Browning highlighted the critical role of women in fighting for climate action at a panel titled Climate Action Is Female.

Events and Resources in California

Why We Care

California has committed to moving to zero-emissions electricity and full carbon neutrality by 2045. We have also enacted a “world-leading” plan to cut tailpipe pollution by transitioning to 100% zero-emissions vehicles by 2035. As the fifth-largest economy in the world, the impact of these actions cannot be overstated.

Yet, California also has a major air pollution problem. We have worst air pollution of any state in the nation. Ten of the 25 most polluted cities for ozone pollution are in California—along with 8 for year-round particle pollution and 10 for short-term particle pollution.

While California is taking action to curb the emissions that lead to unsafe air, our wildfires are making this increasingly difficult. As of July 2024, wildfires had burned more than 750,000 acres, 30 times as many acres as in all of 2023.

Past Events

September 2024

On September 24, Moms Clean Air Force Project Manager, National Events and EcoMadres Danielle Berkowitz-Sklar, National Field Manager Liz Hurtado, and Program Coordinator Luz Drada spoke alongside Representative Barragan (CA-44) to introduce a Congressional Resolution to protect Latina Maternal Health.

On September 18, Moms’ Julie Kimmel and her daughter, Margot, spoke at a CALSTART press conference about the importance of electric school buses and electric trucks alongside White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi, Senator Markey, Representative McClellan (VA-04), Representative Tonko (NY-20), and Representative Huffman (CA-02). Over 10 local Moms and kids joined the event and enjoyed ice cream from the EV Ice Cream Truck with the Congresspeople.

June 2023

On June 13–15, two Moms Clean Air Force California volunteers joined more than 70 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members in 22 states and Washington, DC, to testify at EPA’s virtual public hearing on proposed federal standards for carbon pollution from power plants.

January 2023

On January 10, 11, and 12, more than 60 Moms Clean Air Force staff and members from 21 states and Washington, DC, spoke out at EPA’s virtual public hearing about its updated proposal to cut methane and other harmful pollutants from new and existing oil and gas operations. Supermom Nancy Simpson offered testimony.

August 2020

On August 13, Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-36) 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.

September 2018

Moms Clean Air Force co-hosted an affiliate event at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, “Climate Action is Female: How Women are Supercharging Local Leadership for Climate Solutions”.

July 2018

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

February 2018

Moms Clean Air Force California members testified in opposition to the repeal of America’s Clean Power Plan in San Francisco.

March 2017

Moms Clean Air Force super mom, Jennifer Moeller presented at a California Air Resources Board meeting on oil/natural gas methane emissions.

January 2017

Moms Clean Air Force California testified at an Aliso Canyon hearing.

Moms Clean Air Force California attended Green CA Summit.

Moms Clean Air Force California participated in the San Francisco Women’s March, part of a network of marches held across the country.

October 2016

Field organizer, Jennifer Moeller attended the “One Year Gas Blowout Aliso Canyon Anniversary” remembering the largest natural gas blowout in history. The event called on California Governor Brown to keep the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility closed and decommission the facility.

September 2016

Moms Clean Air Force California attended the Fossil Free L.A Campaign Kickoff Press Conference in Los Angeles City Hall on September 16th to support Sierra Club in their efforts to get Los Angeles to 100% clean energy by 2030.

Los Angeles field organizer, Jennifer Moeller spoke at the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) West Region Policy Forum at University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA). Her topic was “Health Impacts Associated with Climate Change,” hosted by NHMA’s CEO/President Dr. Rios. Jennifer hosted a Moms Clean Air Force table providing resources on asthma and how climate change and air pollution impacts the Latino community to the 40 healthcare professionals in attendance.

Moms Clean Air Force California hosted a Play-In for Climate Action at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park (Porter Ranch).

August 2016

Moms Clean Air Force California attended Green Advocacy Day in Sacramento.

July 2016

Moms Clean Air Force California attended a California Air Resources Board Meeting on the proposed methane rule.

Deputy field manager, Loni Russell and field organizer, Jennifer Moeller mobilized members to testify at the California Air Resources Board in support of strong state methane pollution rules.

Moms Clean Air Force California signed on to a SB 1441 letter, addressed to the Chair of Assembly Appropriations to express strong support for SB 1441–a bill to add needed accountability to reduce methane leaks that occur before natural gas is delivered to California consumers.

June 2016

Moms Clean Air Force California hosted a “School’s Out Food Drive” contributing to the over 4,542 pounds of food collected by Moms Clean Air Force chapters nationwide.

On June 30, the City of Oakland voted to ban the export of coal from the Port of Oakland. Leading the charge for parents was Moms Clean Air Force Supermom, Carolyn Norr.

April 2016

House party with Administrator McCarthy in San Francisco, CA

On April 27, Moms Clean Air Force hosted EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy for a house party with 60 moms and women in San Francisco, CA. A diverse group of moms, kids, health professionals and women community leaders were in attendance. Moms Clean Air Force partnered with Green For All and held a 40 minute Q&A with the Administrator on EPA’s Safer Choice Label, methane pollution, America’s Clean Power Plan, environmental and social justice, and more. The Administrator stressed the significant role that moms and parents play in shaping the national conversation and the importance of sharing personal stories and the impacts of climate change and air pollution on our families.

March 2016

California Supermom Carolyn Norr met with Oakland City Council on the proposed Oakland coal terminal.

Moms Clean Air Force California members testified at the Lakewood, CO BLM Hearing on new methane emissions standards.

February 2016

Moms Clean Air Force California held a Los Angeles press conference on the Aliso Canyon disaster.

May 2015

Mama Summit 2015 | California families gathered at the state capitol on Sacramento to call on elected officials to take climate action. The California Mama Summit was hosted by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, a Southern Californian mother of two and member of the Latino Caucus. More than 50 participants met with nearly 30 legislators to talk about why they care about climate change.