16 Jun Nevadans Testify to Everyday Impacts of Climate Change at Interim Committee, Call for Policies to Combat Air Pollution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2022
Contact: Carolina Chacon | carolina@chaconconsulting.com | 702-810-7155
Will Pregman | wpregman@battlebornprogress.org | 702-752-0656
Nevadans Testify to Everyday Impacts of Climate Change at Interim Committee, Call for Policies to Combat Air Pollution
NEVADA – Earlier today, groups from the community, consisting of Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Make the Road Nevada, Chispa Nevada, Institute for a Progressive Nevada, Faith in Action, Make it Work Nevada, Faith Organizing Alliance and other community members, testified in front of the Nevada Interim Legislative Committees of both Natural Resources and Health and Human Services to bring awareness to the issues Nevadans face due to climate change.
“For far too long, communities of color and low-income communities have been left out of the clean energy conversation. Black and brown Nevadans are facing greater impacts of climate change due to less access to clean transportation, living in heat islands, and suffering from extremely poor air quality,” said Brenda Rodriguez, Story Bank Organizer for Institute for a Progressive Nevada. “The legislature must hear these stories and use this data to pass laws to ensure all Nevadans have access to clean air.”
“Climate change is impacting our families’ ability to breathe free and lead healthy lives,” said Rodrigo Gonzalez, Chispa Nevada Senior Organizer.”Latinx Nevadans are more likely to live in the neighborhoods with the dirtiest air, more likely to suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and more likely to lack access to affordable health care. We need Nevada’s legislators to act now to protect the health and well-being of our families.”
“We are in this place today because for decades, communities of color have been ignored in the creation of sound environmental, energy, and land use policy, said Jose Silva, Organizer with Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. “Those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solutions. We must ensure that any potential policies to address our climate crisis use an environmental justice lens and work to mitigate the disproportionate impacts faced by communities.”
“I witness the health impacts affecting my community members exposed to extreme weather temperatures and poor air quality filled with toxic pollutants daily”, said Jose Rivera, Environmental Justice Organizer with Make The Road Nevada. “We are well aware of the heat island effects taking place where the most vulnerable communities are located and it is time to focus our efforts on finding solutions for these families. We must begin implementing policies that include essential working families regardless of legal status.”
“Low-income communities of color contribute far less emissions yet are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change,” said Chasity Martinez, Community Organizer with Faith in Action Nevada. “Areas with the highest concentrations of air pollution are also located near these communities. They lack access to green spaces and consequently, opportunities that would improve physical and mental health. We need legislators to put forth equitable solutions that directly benefit these communities so we can create a healthier and just Nevada for all.”
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