Clean Air Month

May is Clean Air Month. In presenting at the Rose Garden recently, Pat VanMaanen, AzNA Climate Change & Health Workgroup shared, “Last year, the Air Quality Index Report for Maricopa County reported 33 good air days. Yes, only 33. There were twice as many unhealthy for sensitive groups days. The ALA 2025 State of the Air Report, just released, gives Maricopa County a letter grade of F. We were failing for ozone levels and PM 2.5 and 10.”

Take Action: The “State of the Air” 2025 illustrates the urgent need to protect public health from the impacts of air pollution. However, the federal agency tasked with the job – the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – is currently facing significant threats and challenges.  Defend the Experts and Mission of the EPA.

Disappearing Climate Initiatives

Late last week, relevant House of Representatives committees passed legislative bills for the reconciliation package, which include cuts (~$560 billion) in many areas to extend the Trump tax cuts. Overhauling much of the Biden landmark climate law, including incentives for clean energy projects, electric appliances and vehicles, solar and wind power, was included. Many climate and clean energy programs remain frozen, and a court filing has revealed that the EPA plans to cancel a total of 781 environmental justice grants, nearly twice the number previously reported.  President Trump also released hisproposed FY2026 budgetthat includescutting billions of dollarsin federal climate, clean energy and EV funding next year. Lawsuits also continue, includingone from attorneys general from 17 statesand the District of Columbia challenging an executive order Trump signed to pause wind energy projects, andanother lawsuit from 14 statesand the District of Columbia suing the Trump administration for unlawfully withholding billions of dollars for electric-vehicle charging stations.

What We Are Reading & Listening to Now

• Billions of dollars later, AZ is almost out of water, time and options (azcentral)
• April 2025 was the planet’s 2^nd warmest April on record (Yale Climate Connections)
• Billionaires Spew More CO2 Pollution in 90 Minutes Than Average Person in a Lifetime (Common Dreams) Accompanying video
• Rapid Review Quiz: Health Effects of Extreme Weather Events (Medscape)
• House Natural Resources Committee Budget Bill Fast-Tracks Fracking, Logging, and Mining on Public Lands (truthout)
• Renewable Energy vs Sustainable Energy: What’s the Difference? (John Hopkins)
• AZ AG sues Trump Admin over health cuts, wind energy (KTAR News)
• Researchers launch startup to bring novel treatments to patients with Asthma and COPD (U of A)
• Water official claims alternative water necessary if Colorado River deal unfavorable (CapitolTimes)
• A guide to energy costs, what’s influencing them and how we can lower them (Evergreen)
• Why Your Seasonal Allergies May Be Worse This Year (UM health lab)
• Climate Action for our kids (LinkedIn)

Join Us: Webinars & Events

• May 20^th 5:30 pm Zoom Monthly AzNA Climate Change & Health Workgroup Meeting
• May 21^st: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (AZ): Impacts of Heat on Vulnerable Populations Register
• May 21^st: 9:00 am – 10:00 am (AZ): Nurses Leading the Way: The Path to COP30: Understanding the Global Climate Talks and the Role of Nurses [Zoom] Register
• May 21^st: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (MT) Impacts of Heat on Vulnerable Populations Register
• May 22^nd: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (AZ): Give Us Real Protection! What to Include in Your State or Local Heat Standard Register
• May 22^nd: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (AZ): Nursing Research on Climate Change: Past, Present, and Future [Zoom] Register
• June 2^nd: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (AZ): Global Heat Action Day: Local Solutions to Protect Communities Register
• June 12^th: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm (AZ): Modeling Climate Solutions for a Healthier Future: A Hands – On En-Roads Workshop Register

   

  Recordings

• March 6^th: Tap Water Affordability in Arizona Recording
• February 5^th: Region 9 Pacific Southwest Center for Emergency Public Health: Heat Surveillance, Preparedness Strategies and Community Response Webinar featuring LA County and Maricopa County Recording
• Recording: Webinar with author and Pediatrician Debra Hendrickson on her new book The Air They Breathe: A Pediatrician on the Front Lines of Climate Change. Recording.
• Recording from December 10^th’s webinar: Perspectives on Plastic Lifecycle Series: Plastics Use and Demand Recording.
• Recording from December 11^th’s webinar:A panel discussion on Extreme Weather in Arizona Recording.
• Recording from 3^rd Annual National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) National Meeting 2024 Here

Thank you for joining us in making a healthier planet today!