Improve your Advocacy - Learn more about Tucson's Water Issues

One of the most important issues to advocate for in Arizona is sound water policies. To make the most of our advocacy,  it helps to know all you can about Tucson's water situation, our current water policies, and what actions to take for a sustainable water supply.

Towards that end, Sustainable Tucson is hosting a water panel at their next meeting:

"Water for Our Sustainable Future"
Tuesday, April 10th ,6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30)
Ward 6, 3202 E 1st Street , Tucson, AZ
(behind the Speedway Walgreens near the Loft)

At this month's Sustainable Tucson meeting we will continue our investigation of water sustainability in Tucson.

A five person panel of water experts from academia, government, and the community will present their viewpoints about what water sustainability means in Tucson and how we can achieve that goal.

There will be a moderated question session and then we will open the discussion up to the audience.

There's nothing more important to life in the desert than water, so be sure to join us for this fascinating and essential discussion.

FYI: Here are some of Sustainable Living Tucson's blogs on water issues:

Going with the Flow (Conserving Our Precious Water)

For the love of Tucson: Creating a desert oasis

Protectors of Earth and Water

The true cost of "cheap" water



More ideas here: http://feedingtucson.org/food-oasis-sonoran-desert/ 

How confirming Pruitt will prohibit Arizona's progress

I just sent the following e-mail to Senator Flake at:

https://www.flake.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-jeff

Dear Senator Flake,

Sure, Arizona has abundant reserves of coal, but that doesn't mean it is in our best interest to extract it from our public lands. Extracting coal uses up our already depleted water supply. Why do that when Arizona has a more abundant and profitable alternative: solar energy. Solar energy has already created more long lasting, high paying jobs than all of the fossil fuel industries combined.  Why aren't we leading the way in this growth industry?

In the midst of a 20 year drought, shouldn't we find more sustainable methods of procuring water than pumping it 320+ miles uphill from the Colorado River? The coal burning plant that powers those pumps has already depleted the Hopi and Navajo's aquifer. Why do that when Tucson has enough annual rainfall to supply every Tucsonan with water. We need to incentivize water harvesting and rebuild our antiquated "flood control" system to sink the water into our depleted aquifers. This would also save taxpayers millions yearly from flood damage.

Investing in a more sustainable infrastructure would not only create job security (rather than those temporary coal mining jobs) while protecting our national treasures that bring in 21 billion in tourism dollars.

It's not too late to be a hero to our children. Please, vote "no" on Pruitt. As head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt will protect the fossil fuel industry - not support a clean infrastructure that will strengthen Arizona's economy. He will cut regulations that protect Arizona's beautiful land, air and water. Confirming Pruitt will only prohibit Arizona's progress.

Respectfully,
Jana Segal

Now to Senator McCain...

https://www.mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact-form#form_5410ED49-30B0-4918-84D6-C3B8DD32DCCB