GreenLatinos

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  • De Santa Marta a Estados Unidos: Por qué una transición justa lejos de los combustibles fósiles debe poner a las comunidades latinas al centro

    De Santa Marta a Estados Unidos: Por qué una transición justa lejos de los combustibles fósiles debe poner a las comunidades latinas al centro

    Read in English here.

    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.

    Suscríbete aquí
  • From Santa Marta to the U.S.: Why a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout Must Center Latino Communities Everywhere

    From Santa Marta to the U.S.: Why a Just Fossil Fuel Phaseout Must Center Latino Communities Everywhere

    Lee en español aquí

    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 Latino Climate Justice Framework 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.

    SIGN UP HERE

  • Every Day Is Earth Day in Our Comunidades

    Every Day Is Earth Day in Our Comunidades

    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!

    Albuquerque

    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 HERE. ​

  • COP30: Protegiendo a las y los Defensores de la Tierra y el Agua en la COP30

    COP30: Protegiendo a las y los Defensores de la Tierra y el Agua en la COP30

    The U.S. Capitol during GreenLatinos Advocacy Week in Hispanic Heritage Month.

    For Latino communities across the country, this fight is deeply personal. For decades, we have lived on the frontlines of environmental harm, from the refineries in Houston’s East End to the highways slicing through predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—our cornerstone environmental protection—has been our shield, giving us the power to push back against projects that threaten our health and future. And now, it’s under attack again. The Energy Permitting Reform Act would strip away these protections, silencing public voices and paving the way for fossil fuel projects that we know will disproportionately harm communities like ours.

    This election and anticipated attacks on environmental and social protections has shown us the urgent need to stay vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to environmental justice. We cannot allow lawmakers to rubber-stamp policies that perpetuate the same harms of the fossil fuel industry under the guise of “progress.” This bill is a Trojan horse, fast-tracking fossil fuel projects while sprinkling in token clean energy measures to distract from the harm. Sacrificing frontline communities to secure incremental wins is not progress—it’s betrayal.

    As a community advocate, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we let harmful legislation slide. Growing up in Whittier, CA, a predominantly Latino community plagued by air pollution, I lived the impacts of environmental injustice every day. NEPA was one of the few tools that gave us a fighting chance—a voice to demand cleaner air and a healthier future. Now, as I see these same protections threatened, I can’t help but think of the next generation and what kind of future we’re leaving for them.

    GreenLatinos advocates walking in front of the U.S. Capitol during Advocacy Week.

    This election was a wake-up call: we can’t wait for ideal circumstances to fight back. The time to act is now. If we give an inch, they will take a mile—and our communities will pay the price. GreenLatinos stands firm in our commitment to environmental justice and to ensuring that no frontline community bears the brunt of harmful legislation. We’ve fought too hard for too long to let the fossil fuel industry dictate our clean energy future.

    We must reject the Energy Permitting Reform Act, no matter what form it takes, and demand bold, just policies that don’t compromise our values or our people. This is a moment for courage, for unity, and for an unshakable commitment to equity. We refuse to repeat the harms of the past or bolster the efforts of the industries that have caused them.

    The clean energy transition is our chance to write a different story—a story where every community, especially those long overlooked, has a say and shares in the benefits. Let’s not let this moment slip away. Together, we can ensure a future where progress uplifts everyone—not just a privileged few.

    Irene Burga is GreenLatinos Climate Justice and Clean Air Program Director.

  • COP30: Protecting Land and Water Defenders at COP30 and Beyond

    COP30: Protecting Land and Water Defenders at COP30 and Beyond

    The U.S. Capitol during GreenLatinos Advocacy Week in Hispanic Heritage Month.

    For Latino communities across the country, this fight is deeply personal. For decades, we have lived on the frontlines of environmental harm, from the refineries in Houston’s East End to the highways slicing through predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)—our cornerstone environmental protection—has been our shield, giving us the power to push back against projects that threaten our health and future. And now, it’s under attack again. The Energy Permitting Reform Act would strip away these protections, silencing public voices and paving the way for fossil fuel projects that we know will disproportionately harm communities like ours.

    This election and anticipated attacks on environmental and social protections has shown us the urgent need to stay vigilant and unwavering in our commitment to environmental justice. We cannot allow lawmakers to rubber-stamp policies that perpetuate the same harms of the fossil fuel industry under the guise of “progress.” This bill is a Trojan horse, fast-tracking fossil fuel projects while sprinkling in token clean energy measures to distract from the harm. Sacrificing frontline communities to secure incremental wins is not progress—it’s betrayal.

    As a community advocate, I’ve seen firsthand what happens when we let harmful legislation slide. Growing up in Whittier, CA, a predominantly Latino community plagued by air pollution, I lived the impacts of environmental injustice every day. NEPA was one of the few tools that gave us a fighting chance—a voice to demand cleaner air and a healthier future. Now, as I see these same protections threatened, I can’t help but think of the next generation and what kind of future we’re leaving for them.

    GreenLatinos advocates walking in front of the U.S. Capitol during Advocacy Week.

    This election was a wake-up call: we can’t wait for ideal circumstances to fight back. The time to act is now. If we give an inch, they will take a mile—and our communities will pay the price. GreenLatinos stands firm in our commitment to environmental justice and to ensuring that no frontline community bears the brunt of harmful legislation. We’ve fought too hard for too long to let the fossil fuel industry dictate our clean energy future.

    We must reject the Energy Permitting Reform Act, no matter what form it takes, and demand bold, just policies that don’t compromise our values or our people. This is a moment for courage, for unity, and for an unshakable commitment to equity. We refuse to repeat the harms of the past or bolster the efforts of the industries that have caused them.

    The clean energy transition is our chance to write a different story—a story where every community, especially those long overlooked, has a say and shares in the benefits. Let’s not let this moment slip away. Together, we can ensure a future where progress uplifts everyone—not just a privileged few.

    Irene Burga is GreenLatinos Climate Justice and Clean Air Program Director.