Build Back Better in the Rio Grande Valley
Throughout this summer, Congress and the Biden Administration have been working to shape an infrastructure package and budget that could advance critical climate, water quality, and equity investments across our country as part of the Build Back Better agenda. The future of our climate crisis hinges on whether a $3.5 trillion historic budget resolution that invests in a clean, renewable energy transition and climate adaptation passes through Congress in the coming weeks. But what does this legislation mean for communities in the Rio Grande Valley today - where frontline communities are already facing climate disruption in the form of coastal flooding, record-setting heat waves, and extreme drought? How can these resources help mitigate challenges faced in this region and help communities adapt in an equitable way?
To look towards an answer, GreenLatinos hosted a virtual community roundtable to discuss the Build Back Better agenda and proposed budget package. GreenLatinos advocates Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes and Ean Thomas Tafoya were joined by local community leaders from Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas to discuss provisions of the legislation, the impact they will have on Latino communities, and what the public can do to advocate for the best version of this important and far reaching policy.
Speakers:
DeeDee Belmares
DeeDee Belmares was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dee Dee Belmares has a long track record of environmental activism in her hometown. She served on the Steering Committee during the formation of San Antonio’s Climate Action Adaptation Plan. The Plan passed in October of 2019 and will put the city on a path to carbon neutrality by 2050. Currently, Belmares is a Climate Justice Organizer for Public Citizen in San Antonio. She serves on the Technical and Community Advisory Committee to help guide the city in implementing the Climate Plan while ensuring that it prioritizes the people suffering the most from climate change. Along with members of a local climate justice coalition, DeeDee is working to close the city’s last remaining coal plant and to move San Antonio to a clean renewable and sustainable future. She also serves on the municipally owned CPS Energy’s Rate Advisory Committee and gives the utility input on rate structure and power generation. Along with the work she is doing in San Antonio, DeeDee serves as co-chair for the Climate and Clean Air Working Group with Green Latinos, a national non-profit that convenes a broad coalition of Latino leaders committed to addressing national, regional and local environmental, natural resources and conservation issues that significantly affect the health and welfare of the US Latino community. DeeDee also is a mentor with the Women’s Earth Alliance-a global initiative that trains, resources and catalyzes grassroots women’s networks to protect our environment and build healthy, safe and just communities now and into the future.
Theresa Cardenas
Theresa Cardenas is a native New Mexican born and raised in Santa Fe with a passion to serve her community. Her farming, ranching and native family roots date to the original New Mexico settlements. She has over 25 years of dedicated experience working as a social entrepreneur as a social worker, home builder and as a science advocate to improve and sustain the natural, cultural and built environment for future generations. She has expertise in public policy at the local, state and federal level at the intersection of air, water, climate, electricity and resiliency. She formally served as a climate and energy outreach consultant to the Union of Concerned Scientists. In her role she worked in partnership to use independent science, analysis and effective advocacy to create practical solutions to make New Mexico resilient and sustainable. Theresa is a 2013 fellow at the National Hispanic Leadership Institute in Washington DC and Harvard Kennedy School, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Mexico and a masters of sustainability degree from Arizona State University with a concentration in water resources.
Ean Thomas Tafoya
Ean began his career as a youth educator. He has worked for three branches of local government and run for Denver City Council. He has directed campaigns for state offices and local initiatives. He received recognition for his work from both the Denver Regional Council of Governments and the Regional Air Quality Council. Born on Earth Day and raised in Denver, Colorado, he loves to dance whether it be at a concert or in politics. He was recognized as the Most Outstanding Student from his college at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he received a BA in Political Science with a Minor in Native American Studies. He holds certificates in Early Childhood Education and Horticultural Therapy. He is currently completing a Water Studies Certificate. He serves on the Executive Board of the Colorado Latino Forum and is the Environmental Justice Chair.
