Justin Jackson, justin.jackson@sierraclub.org
PHOENIX, AZ -- A coalition of five of the nation's leading environmental organizations have announced that their joint national effort, Green Wave 2020, will prioritize key races in Arizona. Green Wave 2020 is a joint project of Sierra Club, EDF Action, LCV, NRDC Action Fund, & NWF Action Fund to mobilize each groups’ members to help elect environmental champions to the White House and Congress in November.
The Green Wave 2020 organizations have worked together to prioritize over 30 federal races across 15 states where the targeted candidate has a strong environmental track record or platform, and is often running against a candidate who denies the scientific reality of climate change. In coordination with individual campaigns, organizers will work to mobilize the groups’ members to volunteer on elections and help the environmental community build a Green Wave that is big and strong enough to turn the tide in Washington D.C.
In Arizona, the groups are working in coordination with Joe Biden, Mark Kelly (AZ-Sen), Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01) and Hiral Tipirneni (AZ-06). These candidates are committed champions for climate and environmental justice.
Given the unprecedented COVID 19 pandemic, Green Wave organizers will provide remote phone- and text-banking opportunities for members, as well as use other online tools to engage members and supporters. Where the candidates’ campaigns emphasize early voting and/or mail-in voting, Green Wave 2020 volunteers will be promoting those efforts.
“Protecting our environment should not be a partisan issue. We need leaders who respect science and are committed to implementing data-driven solutions to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis, and we need them now. In Congress, I will rely on experts, researchers, and scientists to implement evidence-based solutions to combat the devastating effects of global warming.” said Dr. Hiral Tipirneni, candidate for Congress in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District.
Emily Pomilio, Victory Corps Organizer with Hiral Tipirneni stated the following, “This summer, Arizonans experienced a record breaking number of high temperatures well above 100 degrees and it is only going to get worse if we do not take action on climate now. Dr. Hiral Tipirneni not only believes that climate change is real, but has a proven track record of implementing science-based solutions. Arizonans can expect a livable future and a thriving environment if we come together and elect Dr. Hiral Tipirneni.”
“From larger, deadlier forest fires to crippling droughts, Arizonans know the real-life implications of our changing planet. We need urgent action to protect our communities from the threats of climate change. Recently, the House of Representatives passed my bill, the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which addresses climate change by investing in updating our energy economy and creating new, good-paying jobs in the process. We must work in a bipartisan way to be good stewards of our environment by protecting public lands, ensuring both full funding and oversight of the U.S. Forest Service and 4FRI operations, and permanently banning new uranium mining operations in northern Arizona." said Rep. Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01)
“I'm a lifelong Arizonan and care for the people, the environment, and the quality of life in my home state. The past four years have been a catastrophe for our climate, health, and democracy. Arizona’s most cherished places like the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument and the San Pedro River are at risk. We need environmental justice champions like Rep. O'Halleran fighting for Arizona. I'm dropping everything to help win this election!” said Dan Millis, Victory Corps Organizer with Rep. Tom O’Halleran
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About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.