With Hurricane Milton impacting Florida, closely following Hurricane Helene, it’s clear that extreme weather events devastate entire regions, affecting all residents. However, Latino communities are often disproportionately impacted due to pre-existing environmental vulnerabilities and economic inequalities. These realities underscore the immediate need for environmental justice solutions that prioritize those most at risk.

On October 8, 2024, The Center for Environment, Community, & Equity (CECE) at American University, under the direction of Dr. Dana R. Fisher, hosted a lively and impactful panel discussion titled “Environmental Equity, Latino Communities, and Election 2024.” As the organizer and moderator of the event, Dr. Julie A. González, an Environmental Justice Postdoctoral Fellow at CECE, guided the discussion with a focus on fostering meaningful dialogue around the critical issues of environmental justice, political accountability, and the Latino community’s role in climate resilience. Attendees included local community members, faculty, and a notably large group of students.

The panel opened by exploring how environmental justice is often overshadowed by economic concerns in Latino communities, a challenge that grassroots efforts are actively addressing. Danielle Berkowitz-Sklar, Project Manager at EcoMadres, highlighted the power of community-driven advocacy, sharing how local families have successfully pushed for cleaner air. She introduced EcoMusica, a cultural initiative launched in 2022, which uses music to inspire action on environmental injustices like air pollution and climate change. This example demonstrated the innovative ways arts and culture can unite communities and amplify advocacy efforts.

Building on this, Elice Rojas-Cruz, Managing Director at Climate Power En Acción, shifted the conversation toward political accountability. She shared her personal experience of witnessing children struggle to access medical care due to pollution-related health issues, highlighting the urgent need to protect vulnerable communities. Rojas-Cruz also discussed the strategic use of bilingual micro-influencers to reach niche audiences, where traditional campaigns often fall short. She shared recent poll insights showing younger Latino men increasingly leaning towards voting for Kamala Harris, stressing that this shift underscores the importance of sustained advocacy and ensuring that environmental justice remains a long-term priority beyond election cycles.

Turning to the personal experiences that ignite advocacy, John Paul Mejia, Climate Justice Organizer with the Sunrise Movement, shared how Hurricane Irma marked the beginning of his environmental justice journey. Despite the devastation in his community, he witnessed neighbors come together in solidarity, feeding and supporting one another. This experience sparked his unwavering commitment to environmental justice and strengthened his conviction that anyone, regardless of expertise, can take meaningful action. His story deeply resonated with younger attendees, underscoring the power of youth activism and the resilience of communities in times of crisis.

The Q&A session saw high engagement, particularly from younger participants, who asked thought-provoking questions about making a difference in their communities and ways to have their voices heard. This participation reflected the growing interest in environmental justice among the next generation, signaling their desire to take an active role in shaping the future.

The event concluded with a reception, where attendees continued discussions in a more informal setting. It was clear that this conversation marked the beginning of further collaboration and advocacy, with a collective commitment to advancing climate justice in the lead-up to the 2024 election. As the momentum continues, the call to action is clear: engage, advocate, and ensure that environmental justice remains a priority in both political and policy decisions.