Climate Action Group
There is much to be grateful for in the climate realm with announcements by incoming President Biden that 1) The US will rejoin the Paris Climate Accord; 2) The new administration will take a “whole government approach” to climate with a requirement for every federal agency and department to address climate change; 3) He has appointed a cabinet level envoy for climate, John Kerry, who will sit on the National Security Council. It’s a relief just to type the words that the national fight on climate change has turned in the right direction.
We are grateful too for all who attended our first Zoom Climate Conversation on 11/19. It was wonderful to welcome several new participants. We come from a wide and interesting range of backgrounds and experience and share the desire to do our part locally. Together we enthusiastically began to map out the areas we will work on in coming months.
For December, the Zoom Climate Conversation will be:
The Resource Curse at Home -
December 17 @2pm
Impacts from proposed mining projects in our bioregion during a time of climate change.
Two stories - Patagonia and the Santa Ritas.
Carolyn Shafer, Mission Coordinator, will speak to us on behalf of the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, a citizen watchdog group committed to protecting our mountains, watershed and wildlife.
We will also be inviting a representative of Save the Scenic Santa Ritas to update us on exploratory drilling on the western slope of the Santa Ritas and status of the Rosemont mining project.
Our conversation will focus on understanding the “resource curse” in our own backyard especially as it collides with long term drought expected in the southwest as a result of global warming. Implications of the 1872 Federal Mining Law will be addressed. We will then discuss and prioritize effective response options.
If you would like to join us for the December 17, 2pm Climate Conversation Zoom meeting please send an email to: [email protected] requesting a Zoom invitation.
You can also request to be on the email list for future meetings and announcements.
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Education
During the counting of ballots, a problem was discovered related to the vote tally of local education initiatives. Therefore, it took us a little longer to get the results, but they were the results we were hoping for.
The Override Extension was approved for Continental School.
Kelley J. Allen, the write in candidate that a4a had suggested, received 820 write-in votes. Quite an achievement! Richard Ulrey, Andrew McGibbon, and Shelley Kais will also be seated on the Continental School Board.
Finally, Betsy DeVos will be replaced in the Biden/Harris administration. There is so much work to be done!!!!!
Please contact Polly Daly at [email protected] if you would like to join us.__________________________________
Health Care
The Health Care Action Group met on November 18th with eight present. We shared deep disappointment in Governor Ducey for lack of leadership with the virus, and Supervisor Steve Christy for his deplorable vote on County election certification.
We decided the pandemic is not the elephant in the room--it’s the whole room. However, priorities that relate to the pandemic include drug pricing reform, separating employment and health insurance, nursing home reforms, improvements and repair to the Affordable Care Act, and surprise billing. We will continue to use our current situation to pave the way toward universal health care and to promote federal, state and local pandemic mitigation strategies.
We found the a4a Electoral College presentation by Maureen Brooks to be timely and informative. We talked about ways to help influence the Senate Special Election run-offs in Georgia. 
Our next meeting is Wednesday, December 16th, at 1:00 pm via Zoom. Please contact Laurie Jurs at [email protected] for more information. We would love to have new members.
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Immigration
Read "The Biden Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants" here.
Climate Change Drives Northern Migration--read how a small Ixil Mayan community in the Cuchumatanes Mountains of Guatemala has been affected by Storms Eta and Iota here.
"10 Immediate Priorities for the Protection of Immigrant Children" Read this advocacy letter from Refugees International here.
CALL TO ACTION - 'Tis the season for Welcoming Others at the Border.
Friends and family often ask us how they can help people at the border. So our CALL TO ACTION this month is to help deportees at Sasabe, Sonora, Mexico where there are no formal shelters and dozens of people are deported each day. Here are two ways you can help:
1) Donate $ to buy food/water - Salvavision.org, include "Sasabe project" in the comments. Salvavision will take checks at 2393 W. Palo Dulce Dr., Tucson, AZ 85745
2) These clothing items are needed (if you are in Green Valley, AZ): belts, winter gloves, men's athletic shoes (sizes 6-12), men's dark pants, hooded sweatshirts. Call Jane (703) 795-6611 to coordinate pick-up or drop off.
Please share this CALL TO ACTION with others you know who are looking for ways to give back during the holidays.
The Immigration Action Group meets by Zoom every 2nd and 4th Friday (9am AZ time) and we'd love to have you join our conversation. If you're interested in being included, please contact Gail Frank ([email protected]).
