GreenLatinos

Tag: press releases

  • GreenLatinos destaca el impulso global en la Conferencia de Santa Marta y señala la falta de liderazgo de EE.UU. y compromisos vinculantes

    GreenLatinos destaca el impulso global en la Conferencia de Santa Marta y señala la falta de liderazgo de EE.UU. y compromisos vinculantes

    Tras la conclusión de la Conferencia de Santa Marta sobre una transición justa lejos de los combustibles fósiles

    PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA: 30 de April, 2026

    CONTACTO DE PRENSA: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039, [email protected]

    SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA — GreenLatinos se une a aliados globales para marcar el cierre de la Conferencia de Santa Marta sobre una transición justa lejos de los combustibles fósiles, reconociéndola como un paso importante para avanzar el diálogo y la coordinación internacional. La Conferencia contó con la participación de más de 50 países.

    Si bien la Conferencia creó un espacio clave a nivel global para centrar a comunidades de primera línea, la sociedad civil y el liderazgo del Sur Global en la construcción de un futuro sin combustibles fósiles, no logró establecer un Tratado de Combustibles Fósiles vinculante entre países que impulse acciones concretas para enfrentar la principal fuente de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero que agravan la crisis climática y social.

    “La Conferencia de Santa Marta marca un paso importante para avanzar la eliminación de los combustibles fósiles fuera de la CMNUCC, donde el progreso ha sido demasiado lento. Al mismo tiempo, la ausencia del gobierno de Estados Unidos es preocupante y, francamente, inaceptable”, dijo Irene Burga, Directora de Justicia Climática y Aire Limpio de GreenLatinos.

    Al concluir la Conferencia, se espera la publicación de un informe de síntesis o “hoja de ruta” que recoja los principales temas discutidos y ofrezca dirección política concreta sobre cómo lograr la eliminación de los combustibles fósiles. Este informe se anticipa para junio, previo a la Conferencia de Bonn sobre Cambio Climático.

    GreenLatinos enfatiza que este informe debe reflejar las prioridades impulsadas por la sociedad civil y los movimientos de justicia climática, incluyendo:

    • Un tratado legalmente vinculante para una transición justa, basada en derechos y con financiamiento adecuado
    • El fin de la expansión de petróleo, gas y carbón
    • El rechazo a falsas soluciones que perpetúan la extracción
    • La eliminación de subsidios a los combustibles fósiles y de la influencia de la industria
    • Financiamiento climático público, basado en subvenciones y sin generar deuda, incluyendo la cancelación de deuda del Sur Global
    • La protección de procesos multilaterales frente a la captura por la industria
    • El fin del militarismo, el imperialismo y las guerras impulsadas por recursos

    “En un momento en que la crisis climática está devastando comunidades en todo el mundo, nuestra administración actual está ignorando la ciencia. En lugar de liderar, continúa expandiendo los combustibles fósiles y sosteniendo sistemas que generan conflicto, militarización y daño. Las comunidades de primera línea y del Sur Global han sido claras: necesitamos una transición justa basada en derechos, reparaciones y verdadera rendición de cuentas. Eso significa avanzar hacia un camino legalmente vinculante y completamente financiado para eliminar los combustibles fósiles. GreenLatinos se mantiene en solidaridad con ese llamado”, añadió Irene Burga.

    GreenLatinos también reconoce el esfuerzo significativo de los organizadores de la Conferencia para facilitar la participación de la sociedad civil y crear espacios de diálogo entre regiones y sectores. Al mismo tiempo, hay lecciones importantes, especialmente en mejorar la coordinación y garantizar una participación más amplia y equitativa en el futuro, incluyendo un acceso más sencillo a visas para participantes del Sur Global y mayor accesibilidad lingüística.

    “Lo que estamos viendo en Santa Marta ahora debe reflejarse en acciones a nivel estatal en Estados Unidos. Ahí es donde la transición se vuelve real: en decisiones de servicios públicos, políticas regulatorias e inversiones comunitarias. Para las comunidades de primera línea, la justicia no solo significa dejar los combustibles fósiles, sino también limpiar los daños del pasado y asegurar que nadie se quede atrás. Los programas estatales de GreenLatinos en Texas, Nuevo México, Colorado y California, que están entre los principales productores de combustibles fósiles, trabajan en esto todos los días”, dijo Ean Tafoya, Vicepresidente de Programas Estatales de GreenLatinos.

    GreenLatinos continuará trabajando junto a aliados internacionales para asegurar que los resultados de esta Conferencia se traduzcan en avances reales hacia un futuro justo, equitativo y libre de combustibles fósiles.

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    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

    Para mantenerse conectados con el creciente trabajo internacional de justicia climática de GreenLatinos, invitamos a aliados y miembros de la comunidad a unirse a nuestra lista de comunicaciones.

    Suscríbete aquí

  • GreenLatinos Highlights Global Momentum at Santa Marta Conference, Critiques Lack of U.S. Leadership and Binding Commitments

    GreenLatinos Highlights Global Momentum at Santa Marta Conference, Critiques Lack of U.S. Leadership and Binding Commitments

    Following the conclusion of the Santa Marta Conference on a Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2026

    MEDIA CONTACT: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039, [email protected]

    SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA —GreenLatinos joins global partners in marking the conclusion of the Santa Marta Conference on a just transition away from fossil fuels, recognizing it as a significant milestone in advancing international dialogue and coordination. The Conference saw participation from more than 50 countries. 

    While the Conference created a critical global space to center frontline communities, civil society, and Global South leadership in shaping a future beyond fossil fuels, it fell short of delivering a binding Fossil Fuel Treaty among countries that will finally take steps to tackle the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions that are perpetuating our global climate and social crisis.

    “The Santa Marta conference marks an important step in creating a global space to advance a fossil fuel phaseout beyond the UNFCCC, where progress has been too slow. At the same time, the absence of the U.S. government is telling and quite frankly, unacceptable. said Irene Burga, Climate Justice and Clean Air Director at GreenLatinos. 

    As the Conference concludes, outcomes are expected to include a synthesis report or “roadmap” that includes the major themes from the conference and concrete policy direction around how to achieve a fossil fuel phaseout, anticipated in June in time for the Bonn Climate Change Conference. GreenLatinos emphasizes that this report must reflect the priorities advanced by civil society and global climate justice movements including a call for a legally binding, rights-based and fully funded transition away from fossil fuels, including an end to new oil, gas, and coal expansion; rejection of false solutions; elimination of fossil fuel subsidies and industry influence; provision of public, grant-based, non-debt climate finance and Global South debt cancellation; protection of multilateral processes from industry capture; and an end to militarism, imperialism, and resource-driven wars.

    “At a time when the climate crisis is undeniably ravaging communities across the globe, our current Administration is turning a blind eye and denying the clear science. Instead of leading, it continues to expand fossil fuels and uphold systems that fuel conflict, militarization, and harm. Frontline and Global South communities have been clear: we need a just transition rooted in rights, reparations, and real accountability. That means moving beyond voluntary commitments toward a legally binding, fully funded pathway to phase out fossil fuels. GreenLatinos stands in solidarity with that call,” said Irene Burga, Climate Justice and Clean Air Director at GreenLatinos.” 

    GreenLatinos also recognizes the significant effort made by Conference organizers to coordinate civil society participation and create space for engagement across regions and sectors. At the same time,  there are important lessons to be learned, particularly in strengthening coordination and ensuring broader, more equitable participation moving forward, in terms of simpler access to visas, especially for Global South participants, and greater language accessibility. 

    “What we are seeing in Santa Marta must now show up in state-level action across the United States. This is where the transition becomes real, through utility decisions, regulatory policy, and community investment. For frontline communities, justice means not only ending fossil fuel use, but cleaning up the legacy of harm and ensuring no community is left behind. GreenLatinos State Programs that are top 10 Fossil fuel producers include Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and California. They are in this work everyday.” said Ean Tafoya, Vice President of State Programs at GreenLatinos. 

    GreenLatinos will continue working alongside international partners to ensure that the outcomes of this Conference lead to meaningful progress toward a just, equitable, and fossil fuel-free future.

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    About GreenLatinos

    GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

    To stay engaged in GreenLatinos’ growing international climate justice work, we encourage partners and community members to join our communications list.

    Sign up here

  • GreenLatinos Stands in Solidarity with the Southern Poverty Law Center

    GreenLatinos Stands in Solidarity with the Southern Poverty Law Center

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/23/2026
    MEDIA CONTACT: Edder Díaz Martínez, Communications Director, 602-832-6039, [email protected]

    WASHINGTON — Following the announcement from the Department of Justice of the indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), GreenLatinos Founding President & CEO, Mark Magaña, releases the following statement: 

    “On this Earth Week, we stand in solidarity with the Southern Poverty Law Center. For more than fifty years, Earth Day has reminded us that progress is not guaranteed. It is earned and defended by people and institutions willing to speak truth to power. Today, that legacy calls us to stand with those advancing civil and human rights.

    The indictment of SPLC represents a deeply concerning escalation in the use of governmental power against civil society organizations. When institutions dedicated to justice and equity face actions that may chill or undermine their work, the consequences extend far beyond any one organization. 

    Civil rights and environmental protection are inseparable. From the farmworker movement to the fight for clean air and water in frontline communities, our work is and will be rooted in dignity, equity, and justice. Efforts to intimidate or weaken civil rights organizations threaten the very foundation on which environmental progress depends.

    As leaders working to protect our climate, lands, waters, and communities, we rely on a society where people can organize freely, advocate without fear, and hold institutions accountable. We join partners across movements in affirming that these freedoms are essential to a functioning democracy. 

    We reaffirm our commitment to a just and sustainable future and to standing alongside those who defend the civil rights that make that future possible.”

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    About GreenLatinos

    NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD. GreenLatinos convenes an active comunidad of environmental, conservation, and climate justice leaders rooted in the power and wisdom of our culture, united to uplift our priorities, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) convoca a una comunidad activa de líderes ambientales, de conservación y de justicia climática, arraigada en el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unida para impulsar nuestras prioridades y motivada a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

  • GreenLatinos Illinois Commemorates Earth Month by Creating New Green Spaces Across Chicago

    GreenLatinos Illinois Commemorates Earth Month by Creating New Green Spaces Across Chicago

    GreenLatinos’ Urban Greening Initiative Shows Climate Resilience Starts at Home

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/22/2026
    MEDIA CONTACT: Cumbia Padilla, Communications Coordinator, 707-382-8113, [email protected]

    CHICAGO — In celebration of Earth Month, GreenLatinos is proud to share the growing impact of its Urban Greening Initiative, a community-driven effort advancing climate resilience, environmental justice, and authentic local stewardship across Chicago.

    From expanding urban tree canopy and community gardens to bolstering youth workforce development programs and neighborhood compost hubs, the initiative has delivered measurable environmental and community benefits since its launch in August 2025.

    Over the past six months, the program has:

    • More than 100 community members helped shape the future of the Canal Origins Park through surveys, tours, and design conversations.
    • 89 youth and 24 families engaged in growing food via gardening programs and workshops in Avondale
    • Local school in LeClaire Courts launches new community gardens, nature-based gathering spaces, and geodesic domes used for solar workforce training
    • 650 students learned about nature and climate solutions via hands-on outdoor activities in renovated school campus
    • 30 trees and 9000 sf of rain gardens and native plants planted
    • More than 500 community members participated in tours, workshops, and planning sessions across Chicago projects

    “During Earth Month, we celebrate the real impact of our urban greening initiatives. When we invest resources directly into the hands of our communities, our planet heals,” said Amanda Pantoja, Urban Greening Initiative Coordinator with GreenLatinos. “Our neighborhoods have been caring for the Earth for generations, and this stewardship continues every day in our Latino households and communities. Seeing our people lead urban greening projects with their own vision and hands shows that climate resilience is not just a goal—it is a reality we are building together.”

    In Chicago, projects advanced community green spaces, environmental learning areas for children, and restoration planning through partnerships with local institutions and residents. “In Chicago, we’re investing in community-driven projects that are turning some of our most environmentally burdened neighborhoods into healthier, greener spaces,” said Lucy Contreras, Illinois State Program Director with GreenLatinos.  “Our awardees are reclaiming land, revitalizing their communities, and expanding access to nature in areas that have long been overburdened by pollution and disinvestment.”

    This Earth Month, GreenLatinos reaffirms its commitment to investing in frontline communities and supporting community-led, culturally grounded solutions built for long-term climate resilience.

    ###

    About GreenLatinos

    GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latines envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación y climáticas, e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.

  • GreenLatinos New Mexico Commemorates Earth Month by Creating New Green Spaces Across Albuquerque

    GreenLatinos New Mexico Commemorates Earth Month by Creating New Green Spaces Across Albuquerque

    GreenLatinos’ Urban Greening Initiative Shows Climate Resilience Starts at Home

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 04/22/26
    MEDIA CONTACT: Cumbia Padilla, Communications Coordinator, 707-382-8113, [email protected]

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —  In celebration of Earth Month, GreenLatinos is proud to share the growing impact of its Urban Greening Initiative, a community-driven effort advancing climate resilience, environmental justice, and authentic local stewardship across Albuquerque.

    From expanding urban tree canopy and community gardens to bolstering youth workforce development programs and neighborhood compost hubs, the initiative has delivered measurable environmental and community benefits since its launch in August 2025.

    Over the past six months, the program has:

    • Trained 18 BIPOC Youth as part of the NextGEN Agriculture and Urban Forestry Program
    • Expanded a 3-acre orchard and food forest
    • Distributed 12,000 pounds of food to families via local farms and local gardens
    • Shared 530 produce bags and thousands of seedlings, helping neighbors grow food
    • Diverted 3,000 pounds of food scraps away from landfills – becoming compost, supporting local agriculture
    • 3,400 community members participated in workshops and events
    • 3,500 volunteer hours supporting local farms and gardens

    “During Earth Month, we celebrate the real impact of our urban greening initiatives. When we invest resources directly into the hands of our communities, our planet heals,” said Amanda Pantoja, Urban Greening Initiative Coordinator with GreenLatinos. “Our neighborhoods have been caring for the Earth for generations, and this stewardship continues every day in our Latino households and communities. Seeing our people lead urban greening projects with their own vision and hands shows that climate resilience is not just a goal—it is a reality we are building together.”

    In Albuquerque, local organizations distributed nearly 12,000 pounds of fresh food, trained 18 BIPOC youth in agriculture and urban forestry, and expanded food forests, compost systems, and irrigation infrastructure. “Urban greening and urban farming have been vital to our communities in Albuquerque. Not only do these projects feed those in need, but they also build stronger bonds, teach the next generations about our traditional connections with the land, and help mitigate the inequitable effects of climate change,” said Carlos Matutes, GreenLatinos New Mexico State Director.

    This Earth Month, GreenLatinos reaffirms its commitment to investing in frontline communities and supporting community-led, culturally grounded solutions built for long-term climate resilience.

    ###

    About GreenLatinos

    GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

    GreenLatinos (NOTA: GreenLatinos es UNA PALABRA) es una comunidad activa de líderes latinos/a/e, envalentonados por el poder y la sabiduría de nuestra cultura, unidos para exigir equidad y desmantelar el racismo, con recursos para ganar nuestra justicia ambiental, batallas de conservación, climáticas e impulsados a asegurar nuestra liberación política, económica, cultural y ambiental.