Why Do Latinos Care so Much about the Environment?

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U.S. Latinos care more about the environment than non-Latinos.

In fact, Latinos care more about water, air and land conservation, protecting against wildfires and drought, and creating national parks and monuments, says research by the Sierra Club and the Latino Sustainability Institute, according to an article by Boulder Weekly.

But why?

Jobs, health, recreation, and culture/morality are big reasons, according to the article:

For starters, clean energy and conservation efforts provide jobs for the Latino community in the U.S. At nearly 11 percent unemployment, Latinos see initiatives like the American Jobs Act and renewable energy legislation as opportunities for gainful employment. In fact, three out of four Latinos believe renewable energy can bring immediate jobs to their community — a much more optimistic view than other U.S. populations.

Latinos also have deep conviction that acting as environmental stewards is part of their moral duty. More than 92 percent of Latinos polled in a Sierra Club study said they “have a moral responsibility to take care of God’s creations on this earth — the wilderness and forests, the oceans, lakes and rivers.”

Recreational opportunities also factor into Latinos’ view of the environment — 94 percent of Latinos say that outdoor activities like fishing, picnics, camping and visiting national parks are important to them and their families. Many of these activities are connected to deeply rooted traditions that Latino families bring with them to the U.S.

Lastly, personal health is a big issue for Latinos. Latino immigrants often have to live in urban centers or near industrial complexes — often the only places where families new to the country can afford to live. This puts Latinos up against poor air and water quality, lack of access to recreational facilities and increased risk of chronic illness. Asthma, for instance, is twice as likely in Latino children as it is in white children, according to an EPA study.

Several key organizations are teaming up for the Americas Latino Eco-Festival panel, “Why Environmentalism Matters to Latino Americans and Why We Are the Solution and Not the Problem,” on Sept. 13 at The Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, Colo. This includes GreenLatinos, Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and Outdoors, the Sierra Club, National Resources Defense Council, and more.

Read more here.