Latinos Feel the Heat Like Everyone Else

by Senator Robert Menendez

All issues are Latino issues, and it is time Latinos take their place at the table on climate change. With negotiations starting in Copenhagen this week, Latinos can help build momentum for a global response to climate change.  Too often, Americans believe Latinos are concerned only with Latino-specific issues like immigration reform, but – like everyone else -- Latinos are part of the global community.

Latinos are participating in every major issue. Latinos understand the importance of promoting the use of renewable, sustainable energy. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil will create green jobs – jobs we as a community and a nation desperately need. Latinos have as much if not more of a stake in environmental issues as any community in America.

The Sierra Club found that 80 percent of Latino voters felt energy and environmental issues have an impact on their lives and the lives of their families. Fifty-one percent believed polluted air and water are the most critical problems when it comes to the environment. A soon to be released analysis by La Onda Verde of NRDC found that Latinos understand the impact global warming will have. Sea levels would rise. There would be flooding in coastal areas. Hurricanes will be stronger and Latinos will be affected like everyone else, if not more so.

Latinos are disproportionately poorer and concentrated in urban areas along the coasts that would be hit the hardest with rising sea levels. They would be less prepared to evacuate or relocate in the event of a natural disaster. And, certainly Latin-America and the Caribbean would feel the brunt of stronger storms and rising sea levels.

The bottom line? The Latino community, like everyone else, must understand the consequences of doing nothing about climate change and the economic opportunity of doing something, which is why Latinos need to be engaged in the debate.

The threat to our planet is real; and the opportunity that will come with a new understanding of our challenges and our responsibilities -- not only to future generations but to the millions of Americans who are looking for work – is also real. The green jobs that will come with a drive toward a new, green, 21st century economy will be the key to future economic growth.

Latinos need to be aware that America’s shift to new, clean, sustainable energy, a green economy, and smart growth would benefit all of us – especially young Latinos looking for a job but also for a career. A green economy and smart growth would create millions of new jobs and new opportunities in solar and wind energy, in home retrofitting, and the development of new technologies and new products.

For all of these reasons, Latinos need to take their place in the debate on climate change and the opportunity to shift to a green economy that reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates jobs, and saves the planet.

How can the Latino community not be part of that debate?