This May, EcoMadres celebrated our culture, community building, and action plans at the GreenLatinos’ Annual Summit in Puerto Rico. GreenLatinos, a leading environmental organization focused on uplifting Latino voices and issues, produced this powerful and inspiring convening where advocates built connections to advance environmental and conservation issues affecting Latino/a/e communities.
While there, National Field Manager Liz Hurtado spoke on the “Climate Disaster Preparedness: Lessons Learned” panel about the barriers and challenges Latino communities face when it comes to climate preparedness, how we can help communities become more climate resilient, and how we must center community voices to create short and long-term solutions that center their needs. Liz highlighted the work that the Environmental Defense Fund has led in the island of Culebra in close collaboration with the local community and community-based organizations like Fundación de Culebra. Their work centers on advancing a community-driven rooftop solar and storage project that directly benefits the households most in need. Learn more here.
Join our growing community! EcoMadres fights for the health of Latino families impacted by air pollution and climate change.
LATINOS AND THE GREEN ECONOMY
During Earth Month, EcoMadres Director Isabel González Whitaker attended the White House’s Roundtable on Latino Economic Empowerment Through Climate Action, where members of the community and White House cabinet members discussed the impacts of historic climate investments and the role of Latinos as a significant contributor to the emerging green economy.
Isabel also spoke at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Issue Summit panel on “Latinos en La Lucha: Climate Challenges and Green Opportunities,” introduced by Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10). Isabel shared her optimism: “Yes, there is work to be done, but collectively we are proving that progress can be made. Look at all the private and public sector interest in climate right now, the historic efforts in DC that are driving real change on the ground in terms of health and new climate-positive jobs, and look at what happens when communities mobilize.” Read moderator Dr. Julie A. Gonzalez’s recap of the panel here.
EcoMadre Luz Drada participated in a Spanish-language roundtable discussion at the U.S. Climate Action Summit highlighting actions taken by the Clean Energy Plan to bring improvements to Latino communities.
ECOMADRES IN ACTION
Cleaning up coal in the Midwest. Iowa organizer Karin Stein spoke and her band SonTierra performed at Cleanup MidAm’s rally in Nebraska to call for an equitable transition away from coal in the region.
Women inspiring climate action. Colorado organizer Shaina Oliver hosted a table at the Women Powering Change expo showcasing the work and stories of women making a difference for a more just and sustainable world.
Climate talks at TIME100 Summit. Isabel González Whitaker attended this year’s TIME100 Summit, which featured climate talks with Jane Fonda, Robert Bullard of the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Policy at Texas Southern University, and Christiana Figueres, cohost of Outrage+Optimism Podcast.
A climate chat with We All Grow Latina founder Ana Flores. Ana joins our EcoCharla with EcoMadres to share how she found her voice in the climate justice movement and her insights on how to support young people amid environmental injustices and increased anxiety. Watch here.
ECOMADRES MAKE NEWS
- Southwest organizer Ylenia Aguilar gave remarks at the Route Zero Clean Trucks press conference in Tucson alongside State Representative Keith Seaman and public health advocates to celebrate EPA’s new federal clean truck standards. She spoke to Univision Arizona about how these new standards will put Arizona on the path for a zero-emission future.
- Ylenia also joined the Air Health Our Health podcast, sharing her journey from undocumented immigrant to tireless advocate for clean air, clean water, and climate action.
- Iowa organizer Karin Stein joins the Environmental Social Justice podcast for Asthma Awareness Month to share how EcoMadres is addressing asthma, air pollution, and environmental injustice for the Latino community through music with the EcoMusica program.
- EcoMadres Director Isabel González Whitaker is featured in Axios Latino’s Spotlight—a monthly highlight of Latinos who leave their mark on their communities.
Stay tuned for:
- June 4: EcoMadres presenting on EPA’s Spanish Webinar: Indoor Air Quality, Extreme Heat, And Children’s Environmental Health: Background And Examples. Register here.
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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.