This election year, the issue of climate change has taken center stage, particularly among Latina voters. With rising temperatures, more frequent wildfires, and the increasing severity of extreme weather events, Latinas are feeling the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change on their communities and families. This has fueled a surge in their political engagement, making them a significant force in shaping the outcome of the 2024 election.
For many Latinas, the connection between climate change and their daily lives is deeply personal. Mary Wagner, a Latina who immigrated to the US from Honduras, has experienced firsthand the impact of climate change on her family’s health. The worsening wildfires in California and northern Nevada, coupled with record-breaking heat waves in Las Vegas, have exacerbated her son’s asthma. This has made climate change a top priority for her as she casts her vote in her first US election after becoming a citizen.
This shift in voter priorities is not unique to Wagner. Latinas are increasingly recognizing the urgency of addressing climate change and are seeking candidates who share their commitment to environmental protection. This sentiment is reflected in recent polling data. A survey by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication found that over a third of eligible voters prioritize candidates who support climate action. Among Latina voters, this number is even higher, with 73% stating that climate change is very important to their vote.
Organizations like the Latino Victory Project and Moms Clean Air Force are actively mobilizing Latina voters by highlighting the link between climate change and their personal lives. Their campaigns, often targeting mothers, emphasize the need to protect children’s future from the escalating effects of climate change. They point to the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and floods, and the long-term health risks posed by air and water pollution.
The connection between climate change and the Latino community runs deep. Latinos are overrepresented in occupations that make them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Construction workers face extreme heat, farm workers toil in increasingly arid fields, and many reside in communities that are more likely to be located near polluting facilities. This exposure, coupled with the historical lack of access to resources and support for disaster preparedness, makes Latino communities disproportionately susceptible to the devastating effects of climate change.
Recognizing the power of the Latina vote, both the Harris and Trump campaigns have addressed climate change in their campaigns. Harris, emphasizing her support for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 – the largest green energy bill in US history – positions herself as a champion of environmental protection. Trump, on the other hand, has repeatedly dismissed climate change as a hoax and has actively undermined efforts to address it. His administration has rolled back environmental regulations and promoted policies that favor fossil fuels.
The upcoming election offers a critical opportunity for Latina voters to make their voices heard and shape the future of climate policy. Their increasing engagement on this issue reflects their deep concern for their families and communities and their unwavering commitment to a sustainable future. As Latinas head to the polls, they are poised to play a pivotal role in determining the direction of climate action in the US and beyond.
