Climate Change

Latinos are essential in the fight on Climate change.

This was the resounding message on the eve of the Global Climate Action Summit at our Community Conversacion: Spotlighting Latino Leadership on Climate Change in California and Beyond. The Latino Community Foundation (LCF), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Voces Verdes joined forces to host a special event to kick-off the Global Climate Summit and welcomed over 150 Latino leaders from across the nation and world. From philanthropists and grassroots leaders to elected officials and youth – these Latino leaders spoke with one voice: Climate change is a priority for Latinos and they are leading the way in community and policy solutions to combat climate change!

The event opened with star power featuring actor/activist Lana Parrilla and Argentinean Rockstar Charly Alberti who centered the conversation on why the future of our planet hinges on Latino leadership.

State Senate President Emeritus Kevin De León highlighted the policies that have been developed, led, and executed by Latino leaders. Senator De Leon alongside Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, Assemblywoman Eloise Reyes, and Huron, CA Mayor Rey Leon shared their ambitious vision and current efforts ensure to combat climate and change and build community resiliency.

Latinos at the local level drive solutions that work for everyone and demonstrate how the state and the nation can make real progress. Community Leaders Mark Magaña of Green Latinos, Susana de Anda from Community Water Center, Ruth Santiago of Environmental Dialogue, Inc., and Luis Olmedo of Comite Civico Del Valle closed the evening with a clear call to action on what we can all do to protect the water, air, and land we live in. A young poet Jesus Moreno Garcia from 67 Sueños shared spoken word and moved the audience with his powerful words of why young people like him are driven to protect our land.

KEYNOTES

Lana Parrilla, Actor & Activist

Charly Alberti, Musician, Environmentalist, & Argentina’s Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Development Program’s Climate Action Campaign

Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO, Latino Community Foundation and Presenter

California Senate Pro Tem Emeritus Kevin de León(D-Los Angeles)

Linda Escalante, SoCal Legislative Director, NRDC

ELECTED LEADERS PANEL

Adrianna Quintero (moderator), Founder, Voces Verdes

Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, (AD-56-Coachella)

Assemblymember Eloise Reyes, (AD-47-San Bernardino)

Huron Mayor Rey Leon

COMMUNITY LEADERS PANEL