U.S. REPS. RAÚL M. GRIJALVA AND RUBEN GALLEGO, NEXTGEN CLIMATE PRESIDENT TOM STEYER AND UFCW LOCAL 99 SECRETARY-TREASURER STAN CHAVIRA DISCUSS POPE FRANCIS’ VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES

Today, Arizona Congressmen Raúl Grijalva and Ruben Gallego, NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer and UCFW Local 99 Treasurer-Secretary Stan Chavira highlighted the Pope’s visit to the United States and the importance of taking action on climate change to protect Arizona’s communities and families. During the discussion, Steyer spoke about NextGen Climate’s efforts to highlight the impact climate change is already having on Arizona communities and Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar’s decision to boycott Pope Francis’ upcoming address to Congress.

“While Congressman Gosar may not want to hear Pope Francis’ call to action on climate change, his constituents—and Americans from across the political spectrum—will be tuning in,” said NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer. “It’s time for Congressman Gosar to stand with his constituents—and do the right thing—by listening to the Pope’s urgent call on climate change.”

“Pope Francis is a prominent leader and crucial voice in the fight against climate change,” said Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “In the Pope’s encyclical on the environment, ‘Laudato Si,’ he called on political and policy leaders to work together to address the irreversible implications of our warming planet. Minority communities, including many right here in Arizona, often times disproportionately shoulder the impacts of failed environmental policies. That’s why we must ensure the environmental movement reflects the rich diversity of the American people—all voices are welcome and relevant in a fight that impacts us all. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans continue to turn a blind eye to the need for increased sustainable energy, reduced carbon emissions and the development of new green technologies. I am eager to hear the Pope reinforce his message, and urge my colleagues to recognize how important it is for the United States to lead this fight.”

“Pope Francis has been a leading voice in the fight against global warming and climate change. I’m excited for his visit to the United States and I hope his message resonates with politicians on both sides of the aisle. Climate change is a social justice issue that we cannot ignore and his Holiness has called on us to take the challenge to protect our home and our communities,” said Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). “Whether it’s the declining quality of our air, the rising temperatures and drought, or the devastating wildfires—there’s no question that climate change is real, and that it is having devastating consequences on our country and our people, especially the most vulnerable. Numbers don’t lie, and the statistics are frightening – over 150,000 children and 450,000 adults suffer from asthma in Arizona and their condition worsens as our levels of smoke and ragweed pollution increase. This is only one of many consequences of failed environmental policies and politicians who continue to ignore the truth about our planet. I encourage my colleagues to pay attention to the Pope’s message and leave aside partisan politics and special interests for the wellbeing of our planet, our nation and the people that elected us.”

“As a proud Catholic, I have been particularly moved by Pope Francis’ urgent call to protect the most vulnerable among us,” said UFCW Local 99 Secretary-Treasurer Stan Chavira. “Pope Francis has reminded each of us of our moral duty to care for our neighbors and strive for a common cause—recognizing that the fight for a more fair and just society for all includes everything from the right to a living wage, and caring for our common home. The fact is Arizonans are already suffering from the health and economic impacts of climate change and our leaders would be wise to heed the Pope’s call to action. ”

Last Friday, Gosar announced that he would not attend Pope Francis’ upcoming address to the U.S. Congress because of the Pope’s call to take action on climate change. NextGen Climate is committed to ensuring that Gosar’s constituents hear the Pope’s powerful message on climate change by running a new ad, “Dear World” in Gosar’s congressional district. The ad, which features quotes from Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si’,” is airing as part of a six-figure television and digital ad buy in the Phoenix media market. NextGen Climate is also launching a digital campaign to encourage Gosar’s constituents to reach out to their Congressman and encourage him to listen to the Pope’s urgent call to action on climate change.

Congressman Gosar’s home state of Arizona is set to experience the devastating effects of climate change—and NextGen Climate is committed to standing with all families and communities that are threatened by climate change. According to the U.S. National Climate Assessment, increased heat and changes to rain and snowpack will send ripple effects throughout the Southwest, affecting 56 million people – a population expected to increase to 94 million by 2050 – and its critical agriculture sector. Furthermore, according to the American Community Survey, Rep. Gosar’s district has over 100,000 eligible voters under the age of 35 and 130,000+ people of Hispanic or Latino origin—two populations that overwhelmingly support government action to combat climate change.