Voces in Action
Voces Verdes Letter On Climate Change To President Obama- June 2013
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Voces Verdes Letter On Climate Change To President Obama- June 2013

Americas Business Council Foundation • America Verde • Azul • Comité Cívico del Valle • Latinos Go Green • League of United Latin American Citizens • Little Village Environmental Justice Organization • National Association of Hispanic Publications • National Hispanic Medical Association • National Latino Coalition on Climate Change • National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association • National Puerto Rican Coalition • Presente.org • Project Economic Refugee • United States Hispanic Leadership Institute • Voces Verdes • Voto Latino • William C. Velasquez Institute

June 12, 2013
 
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
 
Dear Mr. President,
 
As members and leaders of the undersigned Latino organizations committed to efforts that support our community’s health, economic advancement, safety and well-being, and the concerned communities whom we represent, we were encouraged by your inaugural and State of the Union remarks the importance of protecting present and future generations from climate change and share your concern.
 
We are again writing to express our strong support for controlling climate change by cutting carbon pollution from power plants. Power plants release more than two billion tons of carbon dioxide each year, 40% of total US emissions. For Latino families, limiting industrial carbon pollution from new and existing power plants would be an historic step toward protecting our children and communities from the impacts of climate change and the associated health risks.
 
Our community’s exposure to polluted air and its health consequences makes us particularly aware of the importance of limiting the carbon pollution that drives climate change and extreme weather events.  Increased temperatures worsen smog and threaten the health of those who can least afford it. Because nearly half (48.8%) of all Hispanics in the United States live in smog nonattainment areas[i] and because many Latinos work outside in construction and agricultural trades, millions of people in our communities are often at an even greater risk of the damaging health impacts of smog. Latinos often are on the front lines enduring extreme weather events driven by climate change including heat waves, powerful storms, drought, and wildfires which impact our families, our businesses and our ability to thrive as a community and as a nation.
 
Our members and supporters share your concerns about climate change and are eager to see your administration act now. This is the time for us to rise to the challenge. We once again pledge to work with you to support your efforts so that together we may secure a healthy future for our community and for future generations.
 
Sincerely,
 
Americas Business Council
America Verde
Azul
Comité Cívico del Valle
Latinos Go Green
League of United Latin American Citizens
Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
National Association of Hispanic Publications
National Hispanic Medical Association
National Latino Coalition on Climate Change
National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association
National Puerto Rican Coalition
Presente.org
Project Economic Refugee
United States Hispanic Leadership Institute
Voces Verdes
Voto Latino
William C. Velásquez Institute
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