One of the founding members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) Alameda, Lee Ballance, died on June 1st after a short illness. Lee and his wife, former CCL Board member Mary Selkirk, were driving forces in the establishment of our chapter and in fact, early meetings took place at their house. He had stepped back from CCL in recent months but those of us who knew Lee will miss his kind, knowledgeable and enthusiastic guidance. As Mary says, “He was a beautiful man full of life and joy, a man of deep intelligence and kindness.”
Lee was involved in CCL’s lobbying efforts, supporting our trips to Washington, DC and at home. When lobbying, Lee’s calming presence and quiet encouragement moved CCLers–especially new lobbyists–from intimidation to empowerment.
He also worked hard to raise money for a youth conference scholarship fund so that young people could lobby in DC. Because many youth have prohibitive financial situations, and would not have had an opportunity to travel to DC, this empowered young people who would otherwise not have been heard.
Another area where Lee made a big impact was the Media Watch, a collaboration of three CCL chapters. Media Watch volunteers would monitor local newspapers for climate change articles, then send summaries and links to those article to team members to write about. Many letters to the editor came out of it.
As a physician, Lee was very concerned with the health impacts of climate change. He and fellow physician Cynthia Mahoney, the leader of CCL Contra Costa, worked together to get support for CCL’s climate policies from local medical societies. Says Cynthia:
“Lee was a mentor and a friend, at the forefront of the movement to connect Climate and Health. He and a collegue convinced the Fresno Madeira Madera Society to pass a resolution in favor of carbon pricing.
“Lee then suggested we approach the Alameda Contra Costa Medical Society. With his wisdom about how things work in the society and eye for opportunity, we gave three talks and wrote 3 newsletter articles on climate health impacts over the course of the next year. The carbon pricing resolution passed.
“Lee was a truly fine human being, a wonderful colleague; a joy to collaborate with. When he said “Let’s talk” I knew we would consider new angles and come up with a better solution. And have fun doing it.”

@Trish Clifford
Lee Ballance was a kind human being, a helpful CCL colleague and a first-rate advocate for recognizing the negative health effects of climate change. My condolences to Mary and all of us at CCL.
@Trish Clifford I met Lee in my very first emergency room job in Salinas, CA in 1979, and he and Mary became our good friends through CCL. We were close. Lee was a leader, a runner of rivers, an excellent chef, a loving grandpa, compassionate physician and great raconteur. He will be sorely missed. Farewell, my friend. And Mary, we are here for you.
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