(Last month) was Hispanic Heritage Month. We began the month by honoring the anniversary of seven Latin American countries earning their independence and ending the month on Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Throughout the month, we celebrated the contributions and impact that Hispanic Americans have had on history, culture and life in the United States.
As a Chicana, I was excited to celebrate the leadership that many Hispanic people have made in environmental justice and sustainability. We need to remember that people of Latin American descent (including Afro-Latino and Indigenous people) are among the groups most impacted by climate change and even more so when those people live in rural areas.
I am acutely aware of the environmental impacts that single use plastics, my car, and my electricity can create. We have seen an alarming amount of wildfires and droughts for the last 30 years — that is not a coincidence. We need to make a change, and that has to start with how we generate our energy.
Utility scale renewable energy can make wind and solar accessible to all people, regardless of income, and bring economic growth to the state. It’s time we move toward better solutions for New Mexico, ones that help our climate and protect our traditions.
Most importantly, renewable energy will give our future generations a place to live that’s not devastated by wildfires and droughts. Let’s honor the work of Hispanic generations before us and build on their legacy to move our state forward.