As stakeholders and concerned citizens, Latinos in the United States are among the strongest proponents and supporters of enduring government action to effectively address the widespread consequences of climate change and air pollution.
“Action on climate change is a very high priority for Latinos—regardless of age, income, party affiliation or where they live,” said Latino Decisions co-founder, Matt Barreto. Recent polling conducted by renowned pollster Latino Decisions found that 75% of Latinos believe that it is imperative for the government to tackle climate change.
Resounding Latino support for environmental protection should come as no surprise given the widespread implications of pollution and climate change on the wellbeing of their families and communities. Over half of Latinos in the U.S. live within close proximity to power plants and other hotbeds of pollution that threaten their access to proper air quality overexposure to unhealthy levels of harmful air pollutants has heightened the severity of the asthma crisis among Latino children. Furthermore, these communities are among the most vulnerable and tend to bear the brunt of the affects of extreme weather often promulgated by climate change.
For Latinos, climate change is an issue that transcends both borders and their local communities. Support for government action on climate change is grounded in an understanding of its profound global impacts. Founder of Voces Verdes, Adrianna Quintero, said, “Latinos have a deep sense of interconnectedness, not only to family and friends we see every day but to our cousins, aunts and grandparents, whether they live in the United States or abroad.” Quintero continues, “That powerful sense of community extends to concerns for others. Fighting climate change is part of our obligation to build a more hopeful future, for all.”
President Obama’s Climate Action Plan is an important step in the right direction that has already led the EPA to enact its strictest carbon pollution standards to date. While this progress is encouraging, complacency is simply not an option. Lawmakers must be prepared to actively work towards further sustainable solutions. That is why Voces Verdes, in conjunction with the EPA, has created an interactive Google + Hangout on climate change’s impact on the Latino community. The discussion will feature the EPA’s Administrator Gina McCarthy, moderated by Elianne Ramos, CEO of Speak Hispanic, joined by our own Maria Cardona, and Dr. Tomas Morales from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
The open discussion will provide the opportunity to engage in what promises to be a productive and informative conversation about ways we can cut carbon pollution and safeguard our health and communities. There is still time to RSVP here for the Google Hangout that will take place this Thursday, June 26 from 3:30 to 4:14 p.m. EST.
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