Jana Segal

While tending my desert garden, I became a sort of citizen scientist observing the impact of rising temperatures and declining rainfall in Tucson. That convinced me that we need to do everything we can to lessen the impact of climate change. I share my journey on Sustainable Living Tucson blog. That includes what I have learned about sustainable practices like water-harvesting and clean energy. I also directed a virtual production of my play, "Regeneration: The Tucson Story" that you can find on Youtube. I am currently the lead of Sustainable Tucson's Environmental Advocacy group and a member of the Water Committee. I attend the Pima Department of Environmental Quality's Green Infrastructure planning meetings as Sustainable Tucson's Water Ambassador. I also rally my friends on social media to become active too by posting Calls to Action from my blog Desktop Activist Tucson.

Public Comments Needed: Tell CBP NO Border Wall on San Pedro River

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Center for Biological Diversity’s Laiken Jordahl, went to the San Pedro River, which is the last undammed, free-flowing river in the Southwest. The Border Patrol has announced plans to build across this pristine river, choking off vital waterways and access to habitat for wildlife. The Trump administration has dismantled 41 environmental and health laws to … Read more

Proposed walls would dissect national monument, wildlife refuge

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*NEW* DHS Document Reveals Locations for 213 Miles of Border Wall Construction Across Three Border States

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Arizona– A newly-obtained letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to the Department of Defense requests use of billions of dollars in military funds to build new border walls as part of the Trump Administration’s emergency declaration at the border. According to the document, 213 miles of new and replacement border walls, floodlights and surveillance equipment would be imposed on communities and landscapes in California, Arizona and New Mexico– including a wall that would block the San Pedro River, one of Arizona’s last remaining free-flowing waterways. Find the original document and summary of its meaning here. See maps of the proposed border wall construction areas: Yuma 1, Yuma 2 and El Paso.

In response, representatives at the Sierra Club released the following statements:

“The irony of using our national security budget to divide communities, destroy wildlife habitat and cut us off from our public lands is atrocious. The only crisis on the border is the one this administration is creating by building these barriers and stripping people of their rights and protection under the law. We cannot allow Trump to illegally steal taxpayer dollars in an attempt to militarize safe places and build more walls through our most precious American landscapes,” said Richard Guerrero, LCDR, USN (Ret.) and Sierra Club Borderlands Activist.

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Nominate “The Godfather of Solar” Bill Mundell for ACC

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I don’t have to tell you that there is an important election coming up in 2020. But there is one race that is often overlooked on the ballot – the corporation commissioners. The Arizona Corporation Commission wields great power in Arizona. The ACC functions as the fourth branch of Arizona state government. Commissioners make important decisions that affect Arizona residents – like regulating the utility companies. If you are an environmental advocate, you might want to pay special attention to the next election for the ACC. Their decisions influence how fast Arizona moves to clean energy.

It is important to do your homework and make sure that the ACC candidates you select represent you. This is especially vital because recent ACC members have been prosecuted for accepting dark money from the Arizona Public Service Electric Company (APS) to influence their vote.

Remember APS? APS spent 38 million dollars of their customers’ money to affect the outcome of Prop 127. Former commissioner Kristin Mayes suggested that we make it illegal for utility companies to spend money to influence elections. That is something we really should work on. Meanwhile, let’s support candidates who won’t be accepting dark money from them.

Consider signing Bill Mundell’s nomination petition for the AZ Corporation Commission. He is running again and is very pro-solar.

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Call your Reps now to save ballot initiatives!

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Republicans in Arizona are scared of the grassroots. That’s why they are pushing SB 1451, which would create burdens for people collecting ballot initiative signatures. The Arizona House Elections Committee will be hearing this bill tomorrow. SB 1451 has already passed the Senate, so our only hope is to stop this bill in the House. … Read more