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EcoMadres’ mission is to empower and mobilize Latino communities to fight for clean air, equitable climate change solutions, and protections from toxic chemicals. Our growing network of state-based field teams and allies in Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas helps Latino communities have conversations with lawmakers at the state and federal levels about the connection between environmental issues and our children’s health.

GOALS

• PROVIDE reliable and culturally appropriate information and educational resources to increase understanding of the health effects of air pollution and climate change.
• AMPLIFY Latino/a voices through storytelling and empower our members to be part of the decision-making process through public participation during comment periods and meetings with elected officials.
• ENGAGE decision-makers at the local, state, and federal levels to advocate for just and equitable climate change solutions, environmental justice, and health equity.
• ENHANCE language access and funding opportunities to our communities through education and outreach in states across the country.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND LATINOS

Latino communities are disproportionately affected by the climate crisis, and many are already experiencing severe weather events like heavy rainfall, flooding, dangerous storms, droughts, hurricanes, and heat waves.

Climate change has a tremendous impact on the health, livelihoods, and overall well-being of Latinos in the United States. 71% of Latino adults say climate change is affecting their local community at least some. Latinos have long been engaged in environmental activism, and at EcoMadres, we help you take the next step in climate activism.

AIR POLLUTION AND LATINOS

Everyone has the right to clean air, water and soil, but far too many people live in communities overburdened by air pollution. Nearly 10 million Latinos live in counties that received failing grades on ozone or particulate pollution measures.

Disproportionate exposure to air pollution in communities of color is linked to premature death, childhood asthma attacks and a host of other chronic and debilitating health conditions. We must continue to fight for strong federal protections for the health of our communities.

PETROCHEMICALS

The building blocks of plastic are made at the expense of our health, and people of color are disproportionately impacted. Plastics are produced from fossil fuels. They are the biggest category of “petrochemicals”. Petrochemical plants, incinerators, landfills, and other heavily polluting industries are commonly cited in communities that already are burdened by multiple pollution sources. This is in large part a result of racial discrimination in housing and financial services, as well as the designation of low-income Black and Latino neighborhoods as mixed residential-industrial zones.

The petrochemical industry creates extraordinary amounts of pollution. The prevalence of plastics and other petrochemicals comes at a steep cost to our health, especially for those living near production and processing facilities. These facilities are sickening local neighborhoods and heating the planet with their emissions.
We need the EPA and other government agencies to curb toxic pollution from the production of plastics and other petrochemicals. Communities need the strongest possible standards and protections. At EcoMadres, we bring community members together to discuss the need to reduce and stop the buildout of petrochemicals in the Texas Gulf Coast.

The EcoMusica initiative launched in Fall 2022 to address air pollution, climate change, and environmental injustice through music by offering hope to listeners and inspiring action. Through music, we encourage community involvement in the issues most concerning to our community. The performers are professional musicians and EcoMadres members based in the Midwest and originally hailing from Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, and Argentina. To appeal to a broad range of Latino cultures, the songs cover a broad range of styles, such as cumbia, banda, bolero, and contemporary pop.

“Legado” (Legacy) performed by Conjunto EcoMadres
October 27, 2022

“Clean Air and Water for Earth Day” performed by Conjunto EcoMadres
April 22, 2021