BROADCASTS.com

b"What are the issues that link the Latino community to the environmental movement? For many, it comes down to la familia. Latinos, who make up nearly 40 percent of California\\u2019s population, still tend to live in the state\\u2019s most polluted areas, in close proximity to freeways and ports. That translates to increased rates of asthma among Latino children. Other community issues include lack of green space, reduced access to bus service and the internet, and economic barriers to things like electric cars and home ownership. According to Adrianna Quintero of the Natural Resources Defense Council, for Latinos, climate change is less a political issue than personal: it\\u2019s \\u201cabout protecting family members\\u2026about thinking about the ties that bind us to people in other parts of the world, whether we arrived two years ago, 10 years ago, or were here before the borders were drawn.\\u201d As the three panelists note, Latinos have long embraced the culture of conservation. They point to examples from their own experience \\u2013 reusing foil, taking grocery bags to the store, sharing resources with extended family members. \\u201cI think most Latinos are conservationists,\\u201d says Orson Aguilar, Executive Director of The Greenlining Institute, \\u201cand I think the question is, is it something cultural, is it something in our DNA, or have we been forced to conserve given our economic circumstances?\\u201d Whatever their reasons, Quintero points out that 9 out of 10 Latinos surveyed support action to fight climate change. \\u201cThose are enormous numbers,\\u201d she says. \\u201cIt shows that we've underestimated this community for years. We've underestimated the power, we've underestimated the commitment to protecting the environment and we're doing that to our own disservice truly. We need to recognize that there's a tremendous amount of awareness and power in this community.\\u201d In this election year, how can the environmental movement engage the diverse community of Latinos to demand change in their own communities, and beyond? Catherine Sandoval, Commissioner, California Public Utilities Commission Orson Aguilar, Executive Director, The Greenlining Institute Adrianna Quintero, Senior Attorney, The Natural Resources Defense Council. This program was recorded in front of a live audience at The Commonwealth Club of California on February 7, 2014\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices"