MISSION
Ecomadres is a collaborative program between GreenLatinos and Moms Clean Air Force that brings Latina moms together to address issues of clean air, climate, and toxics that affect the health of Latino children and families.
The Ecomadres program provides comadres with reliable information and solutions through online resources, articles, action tools, and on-the-ground events. We provide an inclusive community that empowers and lifts up the voices of comadres for the benefit of our communities. Ecomadres has a vibrant network of state-based field teams and allies across the country.
GreenLatinos is a national non-profit organization that convenes a broad coalition of Latino leaders committed to addressing national, regional, and local environmental, natural resources, and conservation issues that significantly affect the health and welfare of the Latino community in the United States.
Moms Clean Air Force is a community of moms and dads united against air pollution – including the urgent crisis of our changing climate – to protect our children’s health.
ECOMADRES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Ecomadres are currently organizing in the following states:
AIR POLLUTION AND LATINAS
48% of Latinos in the US live in counties that frequently violate ground-level ozone standards.
68% of Latinos live in areas that do not meet federal air quality standards compared to 58% of whites.
More than 1.81 million Latinos live within one half mile of existing oil and gas facilities.
Latinos are three times more likely to be negatively affected by air pollution because of where they live and work.
Click here to download a bilingual PDF with more information about how air pollution affects Latinos
CLIMATE CHANGE AND LATINAS
Latino children are 60% more at risk than their white counterparts of having asthma attacks exacerbated by air pollution. As climate change worsens air quality, Latinos will be disproportionately impacted.
55% of Latinos in the U.S. live in three states already experiencing serious negative effects linked to climate change: California, Florida, and Texas.
3 out of 4 Latinos want action on climate change, and 9 out of 10 want the government to do something about it. Safeguarding the planet for future generations is a cherished value in Latino culture.
Latinos make up roughly 1 in 4 workers in both the construction and agriculture industries, outdoor jobs extremely vulnerable to extreme heat and heat-related illnesses.
METHANE AND LATINAS
More than 1.81 million Latinos live within one half mile of existing oil and gas facilities.
3% of Latinos live in areas where toxic air pollution is so high that the cancer risk is above the Environmental Protection Agency’s level of concern.
Due to high levels of poverty, low levels of health insurance, and lack of access to adequate health care, Latinos are disproportionately burdened by the health impacts from methane and other air pollution.
Latinos experience 153,000 asthma attacks and 112,000 missed school days each year due to oil and gas air pollution. Rates of asthma are often higher in Latino communities.
Click here to download a bilingual PDF with more information about how methane affects Latinos
