CHCI Issue Summit 2024 – Latinos en La Lucha: Climate Challenges and Green Opportunities Event Recap
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) hosted a dynamic two-day Issue Summit on May 7-8, 2024, focusing on critical issues impacting the nation and the Latino community. Held at the Capital Turnaround, the summit provided a platform for high-level discussions on health, technology, workforce, economic empowerment, and leadership, with a special emphasis on the Latino community’s unique challenges and opportunities.
One of the summit’s highlights was the panel titled “Latinos en La Lucha: Climate Challenges and Green Opportunities,” which CECE PostDoc Dr. Julie A. Gonzalez had the opportunity to moderate. This panel addressed the urgent and disproportionate impact of climate change on Latino communities, emphasizing climate-induced displacement exacerbated by racism and social inequality.
The discussion brought together a diverse group of experts, including Antonieta Cádiz, Deputy Executive Director at En Acción, Climate Power; Isabel González Whitaker, Assistant Vice President of Public Engagement and Director at Moms Clean Air Force/EcoMadres; and Dr. Sabrina Johnson, Senior Housing Policy Advocate at The Natural Resources Defense Council. These panelists shared insights into how organizations can effectively contribute to combating environmental challenges. Additionally, the panel explored the pivotal role Latinos play in driving forward green initiatives and sustainable solutions.
The CHCI Issue Summit served as a critical convening point for Members of Congress, Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, tech experts, and thought leaders, along with CHCI program participants and alumni. It offered an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue, and forge partnerships aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues faced by the Latino community today.
This summit not only underscored the Center for Environment, Community and Equity’s (CECE) commitment to interdisciplinary and actionable environmental education but also reinforced our role in fostering collaborations that drive public impact and advance sustainable policies.
The American Institutes for Research (AIR), which funds the CECE Environmental Justice Postdoctoral fellowship, was also in attendance, showing their support for these efforts. The attached photograph shows a special moment with Dr. Gonzalez and Arayle Freels, a Senior Program Manager from the AIR Equity Initiative.
As we continue to reflect on the insights gained during this summit, CECE remains dedicated to leveraging these learnings to enhance our educational initiatives and community partnerships, furthering our mission to tackle environmental challenges through informed scholarship and collective action.
