As we breathe, the Truck & Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) is backing an effort to repeal the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding – the legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gas emissions in the US.
That decision poses real danger. (Watch yourself!)
The EPA’s Endangerment Finding, originally established in 2009 after years of scientific analysis, was the legal conclusion that greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution endangers human health and welfare. In the US, the transportation sector emits the most GHGs, and communities living in the shadows of major transportation infrastructure stand to be most harmed by the repeal. As has been well documented, the burden from transportation pollution is not shared equally; low income communities and communities of color bear the brunt of the consequences, which include painful chronic illness and early death.
Under the Clean Air Act, the determination that GHGs are toxic to human health required the EPA to regulate those emissions, and basically say “Danger! Look out for harms here.” The finding established a new floor for environmental protection that the Trump Administration ripped out, leaving communities vulnerable to even more harm from GHGs and other emissions.
The Trump administration finalized its repeal in February 2026, stripping the legal basis for GHG standards across vehicles, power plants, and other sectors, and making future federal regulation of greenhouse gases far more difficult.
Despite the Trump Administration’s claim that the Endangerment Finding was based on false science (despite what this administration would like you to believe, climate change is actually real!) and causing undue burden to industry, this is untrue. The Endangerment Finding has long provided the baseline that manufacturers rely on to plan, invest, and compete. Repealing it removes the stability companies have been operating under for more than a decade.
For the heavy-duty trucking industry, that uncertainty shows up fast. Companies map product lines years in advance, commit billions to new platforms, and build supply chains around expected standards. When the rules are unclear, it becomes harder to make decisions, scale new technologies, and stay competitive. Investments slow, timelines shift, and projects already in motion start to stall.
It’s unclear what the Trump Administration actually wants to see as a result of repealing the Finding.
It also raises a clear disconnect. Many manufacturers have publicly committed to cleaner technologies and the transition to an electric fleet. Those commitments depend on a stable policy environment. Supporting repeal undercuts that foundation.
This goes beyond policy debates in Washington. It affects whether companies can move forward with confidence or are forced into a wait-and-see approach, which will 100% slow progress at a time when global competitors continue to invest and scale.
And the impact doesn’t stop there. The EPA’s own analysis has indicated that repeal could cost Americans as much as $180 billion over the next decade in fuel purchases, vehicle repair and maintenance, insurance, traffic congestion and noise. And additional costs stemming from reduced energy security, increased refueling time and lowered “drive value”, or costs associated with operating a vehicle.
Evidence makes clear that repealing the Endangerment Finding introduces uncertainty at a moment when the industry needs clarity to deliver and compete.
Put simply, it creates avoidable risk. It creates DANGER.
Por Irene Burga, Directora de Justicia Climática y Aire Limpio en GreenLatinos
Esta semana, líderes de todo el mundo se reúnen en Santa Marta, Colombia, para algo que no habíamos visto antes: una conferencia global enfocada en cómo dejar los combustibles fósiles de manera justa y equitativa.
Este momento no surgió de la nada. Es resultado de años de lucha liderada por comunidades indígenas, afrodescendientes, trabajadores y familias que han estado en la primera línea. Ellos han sido claros: no podemos resolver la crisis climática sin dejar los combustibles fósiles, y no podemos hacerlo sin poner al centro a las comunidades más afectadas.
En GreenLatinos, estamos presentes en Santa Marta como parte de nuestro compromiso de conectar a las comunidades latinas en Estados Unidos con las de América Latina. Nuestras historias y nuestras luchas están profundamente conectadas. La crisis climática también lo está.
Por qué este momento es importante
La conferencia de Santa Marta refleja un impulso global creciente. Más de 80 países ya han pedido una transición que sea rápida, justa y bien financiada. Ahora, gobiernos y organizaciones están tratando de definir cómo hacerlo realidad.
Lo más importante es quién está liderando esta conversación. Las comunidades que han vivido los impactos de la contaminación no están esperando ser invitadas. Están marcando el camino. También están dejando algo muy claro: una transición que deja atrás a los trabajadores, ignora a las comunidades o repite las mismas prácticas extractivas no es justa. Es simplemente más de lo mismo.
Lo que esto significa para las comunidades latinas en Estados Unidos
Para nuestras comunidades, esto no es algo lejano.
Vivimos todos los días con los impactos de la infraestructura de combustibles fósiles. Refinerías, carreteras y fábricas suelen estar cerca de nuestros vecindarios. Muchas familias enfrentan asma, calor extremo y costos de energía cada vez más altos.
Al mismo tiempo, la demanda de petróleo y gas en Estados Unidos impulsa la extracción en América Latina. Esto provoca desplazamiento, daños ambientales e inestabilidad en los lugares de donde vienen muchas de nuestras familias.
No son problemas separados. Son parte del mismo sistema.
En GreenLatinos, nuestro Marco de Justicia Climática Latina (LCJF) reconoce esta realidad. La justicia climática significa atender lo que pasa aquí y también lo que pasa más allá de nuestras fronteras.
Una transición justa tiene que ser real
Si hablamos en serio de dejar los combustibles fósiles, también debemos ser claros sobre lo que viene después.
Esto significa que las comunidades deben participar desde el inicio en la toma de decisiones, no solo al final. Significa que los trabajadores necesitan oportunidades reales de empleo, no promesas. Y significa que las comunidades afectadas necesitan inversión, apoyo y cuidado.
También implica ser honestos sobre lo que no funciona. No podemos depender de soluciones que dicen avanzar pero mantienen la dependencia a los combustibles fósiles. Si no reducimos las emisiones desde la fuente, no estamos resolviendo el problema.
Además, no podemos ignorar el contexto más amplio. Los combustibles fósiles están ligados a conflictos globales, militarización y disputas por recursos. Una transición justa debe alejarnos de esos sistemas, no reforzarlos.
Lo que está impulsando GreenLatinos
A medida que fortalecemos nuestro trabajo internacional, en GreenLatinos estamos enfocados en:
Construir solidaridad entre países: Fortalecer las relaciones entre comunidades latinas en Estados Unidos y comunidades en América Latina, reconociendo que nuestras luchas están conectadas.
Traer aprendizajes globales a casa: Identificar estrategias de movimientos internacionales que nos ayuden en nuestras luchas por aire limpio, justicia energética e infraestructura en Estados Unidos.
Elevar el liderazgo latino: Asegurar que las voces latinas, especialmente de comunidades en primera línea, sean escuchadas e influyan en soluciones globales.
Impulsar una transición justa: A través del Marco de Justicia Climática Latina, centramos nuestro trabajo en la equidad, la protección de trabajadores y el liderazgo comunitario.
Lo que sigue
Santa Marta no debe ser solo otra reunión internacional. Debe acercarnos a compromisos reales y acción concreta.
Para GreenLatinos, esto es parte de un camino más largo. Estamos trabajando por un futuro donde nuestras comunidades no estén en la primera línea de la contaminación, sino liderando las soluciones.
Un futuro con aire limpio, energía accesible y oportunidades reales.
Y un futuro donde la transición lejos de los combustibles fósiles no solo ocurra, sino que ocurra de manera justa.
¿Quieres mantenerte informado y ser parte del creciente trabajo internacional de justicia climática de GreenLatinos? Únete a nuestra lista de comunicación para recibir actualizaciones.
By Irene Burga, Climate Justice & Clean Air Director at GreenLatinos
This week, leaders from around the world are gathering in Santa Marta, Colombia, for something we have not seen before: a global conference focused specifically on how to transition away from fossil fuels in a way that is fair and grounded in justice.
For many of us in the climate movement, this moment did not come out of nowhere. It is the result of decades of organizing led by Indigenous communities, Afro-descendant leaders, workers, and frontline families who have long been clear about what is at stake. We cannot solve the climate crisis without ending our dependence on fossil fuels, and we cannot do that without centering the people most impacted.
At GreenLatinos, we are showing up in Santa Marta as part of a broader commitment to connect Latino communities in the United States with those across Latin America. Our communities are deeply tied to both places. The climate crisis is too.
Why this moment matters
The Santa Marta conference builds on growing global momentum. More than 80 countries have already called for a transition away from fossil fuels that is fast, fair, and fully funded. Now, governments and civil society are coming together to figure out what that actually looks like.
What stands out most is who is leading this conversation. Communities that have lived with the impacts of extraction and pollution are not waiting to be invited in. They are setting the terms.
They are also making something very clear. A transition that leaves workers behind, ignores community voices, or continues the same extractive practices under a different name is not a just transition. It is just more of the same.
What this means for Latino communities in the U.S.
For Latino communities in the United States, this is not abstract.
We live with the impacts of fossil fuel infrastructure every day. Refineries, highways, and industrial facilities are often located near our neighborhoods. Many of our families are dealing with asthma, extreme heat, and rising energy costs.
At the same time, U.S. demand for oil and gas continues to drive extraction across Latin America. That extraction contributes to displacement, environmental damage, and instability in the very places many of our families come from.
These are not separate issues. They are part of the same system.At GreenLatinos, our Marco Latino de Justicia Climática was built with this in mind. Climate justice for our communities means addressing what is happening here in the U.S. and what is happening across borders.
A just transition has to mean something real
If we are serious about phasing out fossil fuels, we have to be just as serious about what comes next.
That means communities need to be part of decision-making from the start, not brought in at the end. It means workers need real pathways to good jobs, not promises. It means communities that have been harmed need support, investment, and care.
It also means being honest about what does not work. We cannot rely on solutions that keep us locked into fossil fuels while claiming progress. If emissions are not going down at the source, we are not solving the problem.
And we cannot ignore the broader context. Fossil fuels are tied to global conflict, militarization, and struggles over land and resources. A just transition should move us away from those systems, not reinforce them.
What GreenLatinos is working toward
As GreenLatinos deepens our international engagement, GreenLatinos is focused on a set of clear goals that connect our U.S.-based work with global climate justice efforts:
Building Cross-Border Solidarity We aim to strengthen relationships between Latino communities in the U.S. and frontline communities across Latin America, recognizing that our struggles are shared and interconnected.
Bringing Global Lessons Home We are identifying strategies from international fossil fuel resistance movements that can inform our work on infrastructure fights, air quality, and energy justice in the U.S.
Elevating Latino Leadership in Global Spaces We are working to ensure that Latino voices, particularly those from frontline communities, are visible, heard, and influential in shaping global climate solutions.
Advancing a Just Transition Framework Through the Latino Climate Justice Framework, we are grounding our work in principles that center equity, worker protections, and community leadership, ensuring that the transition away from fossil fuels benefits our communities, rather than leaving them behind.
What comes next
Santa Marta should not be just another international meeting. It should move us closer to real commitments and real action.
For GreenLatinos, this is part of a longer path. We are working toward a future where Latino communities are no longer on the frontlines of pollution and climate harm, but are shaping the solutions.
A future with clean air, affordable energy, and real opportunities.
And a future where the transition away from fossil fuels is not only happening, but happening in a way that is fair.
Want to stay informed and be part of GreenLatinos’ growing international climate work? Join our communications list for updates.
Community members on the Southeast Environmental Task Force Boat Tour.
This Earth Month, we want to take a moment to share and celebrate what our comunidades have been building across the country.
In the past six months, GreenLatinos partners across Chicago, Los Angeles, and Albuquerque have been doing what Latinos have always done: taking care of the land, feeding our neighbors, and investing in the youth around us.
Here’s a look at what that work looks like on the ground.
The numbers
7,600+ community members showed up. 13,000+ pounds of fresh food were distributed. 611,000+ pounds of organic waste were diverted from landfills. 201 trees are in the ground. 3,500+ volunteer hours were logged by neighbors who chose to give their time to this work.
Gracias to our comunidades across the country for their work!
chicago
People for Environmental Restoration & Riverfront Organization (PERRO) holding a community event at the Canal Origins park restoration project in partnership with the Chicago Park District.
In Chicago, residents are helping design the future of Canal Origins Park from the ground up. More than 100 community members joined boat tours, walking tours, and design conversations to share their vision for the space, all led by our partners at PERRO. Students at the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC) are learning in brand new outdoor classrooms, including Geodesic domes and Community gardens. Stay tuned to see exciting updates from Centro San Bonifacio and Southeast Environmental Task Force!
los Angeles
Community members collaborating and sharing their vision for Aliso Pico Recreation Center with Proyecto Pastoral.
In Los Angeles, a community garden opened in Pico Union and became a gathering place almost immediately thanks to our friends at Cultiva LA. Over 1,200 people joined events there in just a few months. Youth with the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps planted 201 trees in Pico Rivera and were recognized by the city for their work. Our partners at LA Compost diverted over 611,000 pounds of organic waste from landfills, turning it into soil that feeds more gardens and more community. We are rooting for our amigues at Proyecto Pastoral as they continue to dream and plan their vision for Aliso Pico Recreation Center!
Alburquerque
A group gathered at the SouthWest Organizing Project community garden space.
In Albuquerque, the Southwest Organizing Project and the Semilla Project distributed nearly 12,000 pounds of fresh food, grew over 2,000 plant starts, and welcomed thousands of neighbors to Loma Linda Community Farm. Eighteen BIPOC youth graduated also from a pre-apprenticeship in agriculture and urban forestry, earning certifications in CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and wildfire mitigation. And CESOSS brought hundreds of K-5 students into hands-on learning about acequias, soil, and water, the same systems their ancestors built and maintained for generations. Yes! Housing continued to build the infrastructure for a new orchard.
This is what our people have always known
As Amanda Pantoja, our Urban Greening Initiative Coordinator, put it: “Our neighborhoods have been caring for the Earth for generations, and this stewardship continues every day in our Latino households and communities.”
This Earth Month, we’re proud to celebrate that. These are not new ideas, but concepts and practices our comunidades have been practicing all along.
Want to continue supporting our work across the country and make a real impact? Make a donation today AQUÍ.
Lo que se podría hacer en tierras públicas con $75 mil millones
H.R. 1 allocated $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Here’s what that funding could be used for instead:
Cleared backlog of $41 billion: invest in long-term stewardship of all public lands.
Healthy parks & coasts in our children’s futures for $18 billion: boost national park, seashore, and refuge endurance in Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, CNMI, American Samoa, and complete frontline ecosystem restoration projects nationwide.
Indigenize with $7 billion: enhance Tribal co-management, cultural resource stewardship, administrative capacity and programming power.
Equal access with $4 billion: expand transit from cities and gateway communities, assure ADA compliance, purchase access easements, waive entry fees, provide multilingual interpretation.
Workforce for $5 billion: hire & raise pay and benefits for civil servants; expand youth, tribal and climate corps; augment workforce training, professional development opportunities.
There is more than enough to go around for our communities. Congress has rescinded appropriated funding before; they have the ability to do it again. This could be America’s next best idea!
H.R. 1 asignó $75 mil milones para ICE. Esto es lo qué se podría usar con esa financiación:
Borrar el atraso en todas tierras públicas Delaware $41 mil millones. Invertir en la gestión duradera de parques nacionales, bosques, refugios de vida silvestre, playas, sitios históricos, monumentos, áreas silvestres y más.
Garantizar parques y costas saludables en el futuro de nuestros hijos con$18 mil millones. Impulsar la resistencia de parques y refugios en Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, CNMI, Samoa Americana, y completar restauraciones de ecosistemas de primera línea a nivel nacional.
Indigenizar el sistema con $7 mil millones. Mejorar la co-gestión tribal, la gestión de recursos culturales y recreativos, la capacidad administrativa y de programación.
Lograr acceso igualitario estafa $4 mil millones. Ampliar el transporte desde ciudades y comunidades hacia entradas de parques, asegurar el cumplimiento de la ADA, comprar servidumbres de acceso, reducir tasas de entrada, y ofrecer interpretación multilingüe.
Fortalecer la fuerza laboral estafa $5 mil millones. (Re)contratar trabajadores; aumentar la paga y los beneficios de los funcionarios; ampliar los grupos juveniles, tribales y climáticos; aumentar la formación de la fuerza laboral y las oportunidades de desarrollo profesional.
Hay fondos más que suficientes para todos nosotros. El Congreso ha revocado fondos asignados anteriormente y tienen la capacidad de hacerlo de nuevo. ¡Esta podría ser la próxima mejor idea de América!
En comunidad, Dr. Val, Olivia, Dr. Camila y Pedro GreenLatinos Public Land and Ocean Colectivo
Water Quality / Calidad de Agua
Get Involved! || ¡Involúcrese!
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a proposed rule to revise the existing Section 401 water quality certification regulations. The EPA is accepting public comments aquí until February 17, 2026.
La Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) anunció una propuesta de norma para revisar las regulaciones existentes sobre la certificación de calidad del agua de la Sección 401. La EPA está recibiendo comentarios del público Aquí hasta el 17 de febrero de 2026.
Proposed oil and gas management in CA / Propuesta de gestión de petróleo y gas en California
The Bureau of Land Management is seeking public comments on proposed management updates for oil and gas leasing and development on public lands in Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties, and portions of Fresno, Merced, and San Joaquin counties. The comment period will close March 6, 2026.
La Oficina de Administración de Tierras (Bureau of Land Management) solicita comentarios del público sobre las actualizaciones propuestas para la gestión del arrendamiento y desarrollo de petróleo y gas en tierras públicas de los condados de Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara y Santa Cruz, así como en partes de los condados de Fresno, Merced y San Joaquín. El plazo para presentar comentarios finaliza el 6 de marzo de 2026.
Polluter Pearce Will Sell Out Nuestras Communidades / El contaminador Pearce traicionará a nuestras comunidades
When they go low, we go high / Cuando ellos bajan el nivel, nosotros lo subimos
This is the first year that Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Day of Service was not observed as a free national park & recreation land entrance day. Pero nuestras comunidades carried on MLK’s legacy conducting dozens of service projects in parks and public lands. Keep talking about how unpopular Interior Secretary Burgum’s national park fee and lack of free entrance day scheme is with our kit. Next big day is Juneteenth.
Este es el primer año en que el Día de Servicio del Reverendo Dr. MLK Jr. no se celebró con entrada gratuita a los parques y terrenos recreativos nacionales. Pero nuestras comunidades continuaron el legado de MLK realizando docenas de proyectos en parques y terrenos públicos. Sigan discutiendo el plan del Secretario del Interior Burgum de tarifas en los parques nacionales y durante los supuestos días de entrada gratuita con este kit. El próximo día clave es el Juneteenth.
Take Action to Defend Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument / ¡Defienda el monumento nacional Grand Staircase-Escalante!
There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is under attack (once again) by Utah’s congressional delegation. They aim to permanently undo the existing Monument Management Plan, undermining the leadership of the Grand Staircase-Escalante Inter-Tribal Coalition. Tell your Congress members to oppose it! Here’s a toolkit to grow support for the Monument with your network.
Lo diremos sin rodeos: el Monumento Nacional Grand Staircase Escalante está bajo ataque (otra vez) por la delegación congregacional de Utah. Pretenden deshacer permanentemente el Plan de Gestión del Monumento existente, socavando el liderazgo de la Coalición Intertribal Grand Staircase-Escalante. ¡Dígale a sus congresistas que se opongan! Por favor use este kit de herramientas para aumentar el apoyo al Monumento en su red social.
News and Research || Noticias e Investigaciones
USA withdraws from IUCN and 65 other international organizations / Estados Unidos se retira de 66 organizaciones internacionales
President Trump has ordered a sweeping withdrawal from international environmental agreements, including the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and UN-Oceans. The move removes official U.S. engagement on global ocean and climate collaboration.
El presidente Trump ha ordenado una retirada de acuerdos ambientales internacionales, incluida la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático y ONU-Océanos. Esta decisión pone fin a la participación oficial de Estados Unidos en la colaboración global en materia de océanos y clima.
More than 75,000 petitions and letters opposing deep sea mining / Más de 75.000 peticiones y cartas contra la minería en aguas profundas
More than 75,000 petitions, letters, and comments in opposition to the Trump administration’s plans to allow deep-sea mining near the Mariana Trench have been collected from Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands during a 60-day comment period. This highlights the importance of community engagement and partnership, as well as how community-led groups rally to ensure their voices are heard.
Se han recopilado más de 75.000 peticiones, cartas y comentarios en oposición a los planes de la administración Trump de permitir la minería en aguas profundas cerca de la Fosa de las Marianas en Guam y la Commonwealth de las Islas Marianas del Norte durante un período de comentarios de 60 días. Esto resalta la importancia de la participación y la asociación de la comunidad, así como también cómo los grupos liderados por la comunidad se unen para garantizar que sus voces sean escuchadas.
Policy Updates || Actualizaciones de Política
Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act / Ley de Herramientas de Evaluación de la Justicia Ambiental
The Environmental Justice Screening Tool Act (H.R.6815) directs the EPA to re-establish a public screening tool to identify communities disproportionately affected by pollution in order to better inform federal funding and policy decisions. Until it is restored, the EPA EJ Screen can be accessed by the Public Environmental Data Partners.
La Ley de Herramientas de Evaluación de la Justicia Ambiental (H.R.6815) ordena a la EPA que restablezca una herramienta de evaluación pública para identificar las comunidades afectadas de manera desproporcionada por la contaminación, con el fin de fundamentar mejor las decisiones sobre financiación y políticas federales. Hasta que se restablezca, la herramienta EPA EJ Screen está disponible para todos gracias a los socios de datos ambientales públicos.
Congress Rejects Administration’s Proposed Science Cuts/ El Congreso rechaza los recortes científicos propuestos por la administración
At the beginning of the year, the House passed a three-bill FY26 funding package covering Commerce–Justice–Science (CJS), Interior–Environment, and Energy–Water. The bill package largely rejects the administration’s proposed cuts to science and research and puts guardrails to curb the administration from withholding funds. The Senate advanced the package, and was signed into law at the end of January.
Al principio del año, la Cámara aprobó un paquete de financiación de tres proyectos de ley para el año fiscal 26 que cubre Comercio-Justicia-Ciencia (CJS), Interior-Medio ambiente y Energía-Agua. El paquete de ley rechaza en gran medida los recortes propuestos por la administración a la ciencia y la investigación y pone barreras para impedir que la administración retenga fondos. El Senado adelantó el paquete, y fue firmado como ley al fin de enero.
Nature Feature || Enfoque sobre naturaleza:
Penguins| Pingüinos
Like Valentine sweethearts, Antarctic penguins form devoted relationships, many mating for life. They propose with pebbles, share parenting, and can even recognize partners’ voices. Yet, melting ice threatens their love stories – learn more from PBS NewsHour here.
Al igual que las parejas de enamorados en San Valentín, los pingüinos antárticos forman relaciones muy sólidas, y muchos se aparean de por vida. Se declaran su amor con piedrecitas, comparten la crianza de sus crías e incluso pueden reconocer la voz de su pareja. Sin embargo, el deshielo amenaza sus historias de amor – descubra más en PBS NewsHour aquí.
Connect with GreenLatinos || Conéctese con GreenLatinos 🦋 Sigue GreenLatinos on Bluesky 🦋
Showcase your priorities in our next newsletter! Muestre sus prioridades en nuestro próximo boletín!
