Low-income communities and communities of color, are often over looked when it comes to environmentalism. Often times, they may be disregarded as not caring, or difficult to engage, or simply forgotten because they are not considered potential funders.
This, however, is not true. They often bear a disproportionate amount of the negative impacts of environmental problems, yet have enormous passion to protect their environment and help their fellow citizens.
As the world debates how to tackle to the problems of climate change, we must remember that it is these communities who will bear the brunt of the impacts. As the climate changes, it is the poor who will struggle to cope the most with increased prices for food, extreme events that affect their homes, or the geopolitical instability that arises from it.
In the United States, work to engage Latino communities in the climate change debate is lagging. Time and time again, studies have proven that the environment ranks high in priorities for Latino communities, yet there are few groups who work directly with Latinos to engage them. Most materials are not produced in Spanish, while there’s a serious lack of coverage on Latino media.
Climate change is the most serious environmental threat facing our planet, yet why is such a huge segment of the population overlooked? I cannot answer that question, yet I am here to show you otherwise.
As a Latino who works with Latino communities on environmental issues, I am here to tell you that we are very concerned. We are passionate, and willing to work hard to protect our environment. We understand that climate change is a global problem that needs all of us.
We care about protecting our families, our neighborhoods, our way of life, our culture, and our right to a clean and safe environment. We are here to stand up against corporate greed, against inequality, and against the destruction of our planet.
For Latinos, the environment is not a "cause," it is a way of life that informs our beliefs, behavior, and attitude. Latinos have a strong land ethic. We respect the Earth, she is our Mother and our source of life.
We stand ready to do our part, and march side by side with our brothers and sisters to stop climate change. As individuals we are alone, yet together we are a force to be reckoned with. Do not discount us, but engage us in the process.
This is more than just a summit to discuss climate change. This is a summit to discuss the very survival of our species. In the end, it doesn’t matter if you speak Spanish, English, Arabic, or Chinese. We will all be affected if we don’t stand together and protect our planet.
Si se puede!
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UN Climate Summit/March Blogathon
September 19-23, 2014
World leaders representing nations, industry and civil society are convening in New York City for the historic September 23 UN Climate Summit. The summit, announced by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon last September, is designed to bring all parties to the table to facilitate the 2015 UNFCCC passage of a global treaty to dramatically reduce global warming.
In what is being called a “movement of movements” moment, hundreds of thousands of marchers are expected at the NYC People's Climate March on Sunday, September 21. Other huge marches are occurring around the world, demanding what we all know is within reach: a world with an economy that works for people and the planet; a world safe from the ravages of climate change; a world recognizing the need for climate justice; a world with good jobs, clean air and water, and healthy communities.
Please join us for a blogathon September 19-23 in a campaign to inspire people to take to the streets and to tell the story of why climate change is the defining issue of our time that can no longer wait to be addressed in earnest.
To see the September 21 Climate March routes and sign up, click here. To find an event in your region, click here. To learn more about the UN Climate Summit 2014, click here. The complete guest list of diarists is in this diary by rb137.
Our Daily Kos community organizers are Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse, boatsie, rb137, JekyllnHyde, citisven, peregrine kate, John Crapper, Aji, Kitsap River, Dont Just Sit There DO SOMETHING, and jarbelaez. Photograph/Graphic credit: Facebook - People's Climate March.
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