GreenLatinos Statement on President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON - Following last night’s State of the Union address from President Joe Biden, GreenLatinos Founding President, and CEO Mark Magaña released the following statement:

“Last night, President Joe Biden addressed the country, expressing the sentiment that the best days for our country are still to come.

From his mention of ‘replacing poisonous lead pipes’ to building ‘new electric grids that are able to weather the next storm’ to transitioning into ‘clean energy that will cut pollution and create jobs in communities too often left behind,’ GreenLatinos is ready to roll up our sleeves and work with President Biden and his administration to keep advancing these environmental and climate justice initiatives.

We must continue to ensure policy like the Inflation Reduction Act helps Latino/a/e, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander, and other communities of color transition justly into clean energy vehicles and energy-efficient appliances via tax credits.

Finally, we’re also grateful for this Administration’s initiative to grant environmental justice block grants, ensuring that those closest to facing the brunt of the climate crisis receive funds to address it in their local communities. Let’s continue working with the Administration on the Justice40 Initiative, which will further invest in clean energy, energy efficiency, clean transit, affordable housing, and more for the most underserved communities, all while creating thousands of new jobs.

We know that the cost of inaction will further devastate Latine communities at the frontline of the climate crisis. They are disproportionately located near power plants, highways, ports, and other industrial facilities that emit deadly pollution, which can cause serious illnesses, including asthma and cancer.

GreenLatinos is committed to working with the President to ensure we reach our 2030 climate goals of slashing emissions by 50% while prioritizing Latine, Black, Indigenous, Asian, Pacific Islander and other communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis.”

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GreenLatinos is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.