Climate change action takes grassroots work

Global warming took a back seat to stoked fears about higher food prices, human sexuality and immigration. Fear won. Politicians tethered climate mitigation and carbon reduction to higher consumer prices forcing Harris to play defense even on the Inflation Reduction Act, a rollout of climate friendly financial incentives that has overwhelmingly favored red states.

And the price of eggs? And transgender people poisoning the minds and bodies of children? And immigrant hordes overrunning America? Right in the playbook of Nazi Hermann Goering who described using fear to control citizens and then said this at Nuremberg when confronted with the objection that voting power of a democracy would never let that happen:

“… voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.” Cue Fox News.

So in Arizona climate change lost out despite a 2021 poll showing 78% of Arizonans believe something must be done now, with over 70% saying not enough was being done. That poll was before heat records were smashed in Maricopa and Pima counties, before the most costly hurricane losses in history and before Arizona faced water shortage issues never before experienced.

Arizonans demand that something be done about climate change, but are continually bombarded with these fear tactics that successfully turn heads away from the stampeding elephant in the room. Doesn’t feel like much of a problem on a perfect sunny 75 degree Sunday at a Tucson festival. But here in the Southwest it is the fight for civilization itself, nothing more nothing less.

The Arizona Senate, the Arizona House of Representatives and the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) control what actions Arizona can take to mitigate climate catastrophes. They make the laws and the rules. Cities and counties can take action locally but if they’re fighting a headwind from the Legislature or the ACC it’s akin to spitting into that wind.

So how do we get through the noise and get our elected representatives to do something? Ok I’ll start. I won’t use Nazi comparisons anymore; I won’t whip up fears and end up doing what I’m railing against. But how could it be that not one climate mitigation bill ever got so much as a hearing in the Arizona Legislature over the past two plus years? C’mon, not even a hearing! That’s not something to gloat about; that’s something to be ashamed about.

The Senate and House energy committees along with the ACC have effectively shut down climate mitigation strategies in Arizona — even ones right in the wheelhouse of conservatives that nationwide have delivered lower monthly utility bills, local control, utility competition and grid stability. Can the Legislature and the ACC pass that up with a straight face? It’s known as Community Choice Energy, now in 10 states (yes, red ones too) and serving close to 20,000,000 ratepayers. Contact Arizonans for Community Choice to get involved (az4cc.org).

What about the most effective carbon reduction proposal out there, carbon pricing and dividend legislation? Businesses will try to pass through those costs, but the dividend part adequately addresses that. Contact the nonpartisan Tucson Citizens Climate Lobby (tucsonccl.com) to jump in and help.

You need to show up and tell people you care. It’s the only way. You need to speak up and let those in charge of Arizona’s future know that you want action. People supporting renewable energy in Arizona are not stupid. Everyone and their mother knows there will be no transition to any renewable economy without intensive use of fossil fuels producing the required infrastructure. But there’s plenty of oil and gas right now to do the job, and every dollar that drill baby drills is one less for the kind of future you want for your kids.

It’s now up to those you elected. Contact your Senator or House Representative, contact the ACC. Can’t guarantee they’ll act but if you stay silent I guarantee they won’t.