BALTIMORE, Md. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — From coast-to-coast vibrant Latino communities are growing. These families, connected by heritage and driven by the hope of a brighter future, are more than just neighbors — they’re partners on a mission. Hispanics make up almost 20% of the U.S. population and 56% of Latino families live in areas that are more vulnerable to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods, and hurricanes. By confronting critical challenges, Latino communities are creating healthier homes for their children.
“I grew up experiencing hurricanes. I grew up knowing that it’s very real,” said Cindy Osorto.
She knew from a young age that she wanted to make a difference.
“At the core of it, we were doing something good for the community,” explained Osorto.
Now, Osorto works to protect natural resources by supporting polices that support healthy communities.
“There’s a lot of reason for optimism when good people with bright minds and good hearts continue asking the right questions,” she told Ivanhoe.
Maite Arce is one of these people. She founded the Hispanic Access Foundation, and each year connects Latinos to resources. She sees a growing movement in the Hispanic community.
“They place great importance on clean water, clean air, access to public lands and outdoor spaces. And really it’s about not just environmental stewardship and the integrity of taking care of our environment, but also keeping our families and communities healthy,” Arce explained.
Arce believes the number one thing Latino parents can do is to educate their children.
“We can educate them about sustainability,” she said.
And foster connection to the outdoors. One way to do that is to volunteer.
“And those volunteer opportunities are a wonderful way to connect and build a network for young people as well as give back and feel that sense of purpose,” stated Arce.
Arce envisions empowering Latino youth with opportunities in renewable energy jobs and urban forestry, training them as experts in their community and involving them in extreme weather preparedness — and all this combined will build stronger, more resilient communities throughout the U.S.
“It’s important to keep optimistic and it’s important to be in community and it’s important to do the things that you can do,” said Osorto.
Extreme weather doesn’t just impact Latino communities. In fact, 40% of all Americans now live in coastal areas vulnerable to the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather events and 17 million Americans live in an area at risk of wildfires. That’s why Arce believes it’s vital that we all work locally, within our own communities, to find solutions.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Executive Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; and Bob Walko, Editor.
Produced by Child Trends News Service in partnership with Ivanhoe Broadcast News and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
To receive a free weekly e-mail on positive parenting from Ivanhoe, sign up at: http://www.ivanhoe.com/ftk
Sources:
https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/06/14/a-brief-statistical-portrait-of-u-s-hispanics/
https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-impacts-coasts
If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Marjorie Bekaert Thomas at mthomas@ivanhoe.com
