This past year, we’ve worked hard to advocate for stronger maternal health legislation and push for affordable clean energy to reach the communities that need it most. We’re raising awareness about the dangers of climate-fueled extreme heat and its impact on our families’ and communities’ health. As we look back at highlights from the year, we recognize the on-the-ground efforts to expand electric school bus fleets and fight the construction of new polluting petrochemical facilities. We’re also proud of the tools and resources we provide parents to help their children navigate the emotional and physical effects of climate change. Through our commitment to amplifying diverse voices, we worked to ensure that the Latino community turned out at the polls to cast their votes. Together, we’re creating a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
Read more about our accomplishments from 2024 below and join us in 2025!
In the field
EcoMadres are working across the country to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns.
ARIZONA: Every day, thousands of children in Arizona ride school buses powered by dirty diesel engines. Diesel exhaust is a known human carcinogen that can trigger asthma attacks and hinder learning. Electric buses are a better alternative because they produce zero tailpipe emissions, ensuring our children breathe clean air while traveling to and from school. Watch our video in English or with Spanish subtitles.
COLORADO: In May, Colorado organizer Shaina Oliver, an advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights, and Moms’ Almeta Cooper attended the National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ). They hosted a session sharing Moms’ and EcoMadres’ work at the intersection of climate, clean air, and children’s health. Learn more about the importance of Tribal inclusion and discover other key takeaways from the event.
FLORIDA: During Volo Foundation’s annual Florida Climate Week, Emily Pickett and Liz Hurtado led a virtual discussion about the hidden risks associated with “natural gas.” They explored what our dependence on gas means for our health and emphasized the urgent need to transition to clean energy sources. Watch the conversation.
IOWA: Moms Clean Air Force is part of the Clean Up MidAm coalition in Iowa, which is urging MidAmerican Energy to develop a plan to protect public health by transitioning away from coal-fired power plants by 2030. While MidAmerican Energy promotes a vision of clean energy, it operates one of the largest coal fleets in the nation and is the single largest climate polluter in Iowa. Learn more in our fact sheet.
NEVADA: Nevada families deserve swift and fair progress away from methane gas and toward clean local energy sources like solar and geothermal power. In September, Nevada organizer Mary Wagner spoke at a press event outside the Public Utilities Commission’s consumer session about how rate hikes are negatively impacting her community and what a just transition to clean energy means for Latinos in Nevada. Learn more and take action with us!
Engaging nationally
This October, EcoMadres made history with its first-ever summit in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing together community leaders, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to tackle the pressing issue of Latina maternal and children’s health in an increasingly unstable climate—because, as EcoMadres’ Isabel González Whitaker emphasized, “Latino families shouldn’t live in fear of the air they are breathing.” The event marked a crucial moment in our ongoing efforts to amplify the voices of mothers and create a healthier, safer environment for future generations.
One of the most urgent issues discussed at the summit was climate-fueled extreme heat, which has been linked to serious pregnancy complications like preterm birth and pregnancy loss. Latinas are disproportionately affected by these risks, making the need for action all the more critical. EcoMadres joined Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán in introducing the Protecting Latina Maternal and Infant Health Resolution, a vital piece of legislation that recognizes the dangers of extreme heat and air pollution on Latina pregnancies. Read more in English or Spanish.
At the same time, EcoMadres continues to elevate the voices of Latinos in the clean energy movement and our contributions to the green economy and environmental justice. Isabel González Whitaker had the honor of attending a White House Roundtable on Latino Economic Empowerment Through Climate Action, where leaders discussed how historic climate investments are transforming the economic landscape, with Latinos playing a crucial role in the emerging green economy.
To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, Isabel moderated a panel at the 2024 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Leadership Conference titled “Advancing Together in the Green Economy.” This discussion featured Representatives Teresa Leger Fernandez and Mike Levin, along with advocates highlighting the vital role of Latinos in driving the green economy forward.
We also celebrated EPA’s updated soot pollution standards, which will help protect the health of vulnerable communities by reducing harmful air pollution. At the signing event, EcoNiña Leena, a brave fifth grader from Virginia Beach, introduced EPA Administrator Michael Regan and highlighted the importance of these new protections.
In addition to addressing physical health, EcoMadres recognizes the mental health toll that the climate crisis has on our families. In partnership with the Climate Psychology Alliance and the Climate Mental Health Network, EcoMadres hosted a webinar on “Parenting in the Climate Crisis,” where Liz Hurtado shared practical tools and insights parents in the Latino community can use to help their children navigate the emotional and physical impacts of a changing climate. Watch now.
Finally, Danielle Berkowitz-Sklar of EcoMadres joined acclaimed author Dana R. Fisher at American University for a discussion on the intersections of environmental equity, Latino communities, and the 2024 elections. Their conversation emphasized the power of civic engagement in shaping the policies that will define our future.
Each of these moments is a reflection of the collective power of EcoMadres, uniting Latina mothers, families, and community leaders in the fight for a healthier, more sustainable future. We are proud of the progress we’re making, and as always, we invite you to join us in this critical work. Together, we can create lasting change for our children and our communities.
In the news
- Isabel González Whitaker, EcoMadres Director and Moms Associate Vice President, was featured in People En Español’s “20 Most Powerful Latinos in the Fight Against Climate Change” list for her remarkable commitment to the Latino community and unwavering leadership in addressing climate change.
- In a powerful op-ed for La Opinión, EcoMadres’ Luz Drada shared her personal experience with preeclampsia during pregnancy, linking it to air pollution and extreme heat. She highlights the disproportionate impact of these environmental factors on Latina communities and advocates for the Protecting Latina Moms from Extreme Heat and Air Pollution Resolution.
2024 EcoCharlas
- Gen Z activist Nalleli Cobo spoke with EcoMadres’ Danielle Berkowitz-Sklar about the connection between climate disruption and public health. They discussed the fight for clean air and environmental justice in Cobo’s Los Angeles community, highlighting the importance of allowing young people to share their stories. Watch now.
- Congresswoman Nanette Barragán sat down with EcoMadres’ Liz Hurtado from EcoMadres to discuss her motivations for advocating for environmental justice and public health. They talked about how climate investments from the Inflation Reduction Act are benefiting local communities and what “Justice in Every Breath” means to the congresswoman. Watch now.
- Ana Flores, the CEO of We All Grow Latina, spoke with EcoMadres’ Isabel González Whitaker about her journey from being a mom blogger to becoming an advocate and leader. Ana highlighted methods for supporting children’s mental health in a rapidly changing climate and emphasized the importance of a “slow life” ethos for her family. She sees limitless possibilities in a world where justice is present in every breath. Watch now.
Join us
The work is far from over, and we need your voice. Together, we can drive action, hold polluters accountable, and ensure a safer, healthier future for all families. Let’s continue this fight for climate justice, maternal and infant health protections, and community well-being. Stay connected, get involved, and make a difference!
Together, we can shape a healthier, more equitable future for all.
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EcoMadres is a program of Moms Clean Air Force that supports Latino communities in fighting for justice in every breath, recognizing the importance of equitable solutions to address air pollution and climate change.