Showcasing Latino-Owned and Led Environmental Groups

A home is a sacred place that takes care of us and vice versa. A roof over your head protects you from the rain outside. If there’s a crack in that roof it can’t protect you from that rain, therefore, you have to fix the crack. Our planet is our beautiful home that allows us to live. Just like that cracked roof the Earth needs to be taken care of. Unfortunately, not everyone has the dedication and time to take care of the Earth and that’s why we need environmental groups. Environmental groups play a crucial role in protecting and preserving our planet’s natural resources and biodiversity. These organizations are dedicated to advocating for sustainable practices, educating the public about environmental issues, and holding corporations and governments accountable for their impact on the environment. With climate change, pollution, and deforestation posing major threats to our planet, the work of environmental groups is more important than ever. By promoting environmental awareness and taking action to protect the planet, these groups help to ensure a healthy and sustainable future for generations to come. 

Anybody can be a part of an environmental group. It’s important to have different people in these groups because they can share important perspectives. Someone living in Beverly Hills is impacted differently from climate change then someone living in a coastal community that relies on fishing for income. In this article I will highlight Latino owned and led environmental groups. 

Green Latinos

A national network of Latino environmental organizations and leaders dedicated to addressing environmental issues that disproportionately affect Latino communities. The majority of Latino people in the U.S. reside in states that are disproportionately affected by climate change. From destructive hurricanes in Texas and Puerto Rico to terrifying wildfires in California and lethal flooding in Florida these disasters are truly impacting LatinX communities. These people need representation because  they face the majority of the backlash of human pollution just because of where they live.

PODER (People Organizing to Demand Environmental and Economic Rights)

This grassroots organization based in San Francisco and founded in 1991, advocates for environmental justice and sustainable community development in Latino neighborhoods. For decades they have strived to educate and teach LatinX immigrants and other members of minority groups how to live more environmentally friendly. In addition, they have collaborated with their local government to help low-income and minority groups out. In 2014 they established a program that would fix unclaimed bikes and give them to members of these communities. 

Mujeres de la Tierra 

 A Los Angeles-based organization focused on environmental education and advocacy, particularly for women and children. This Latina based group leads multiple annual restoration and beautification projects in LA. They plant trees and other flora and fauna which is super important. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis, thus reducing greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and mitigating the effects of climate change. Which means, planting trees is a long term tool to help reduce climate change.