Empowering Immigrant Communities For Climate Justice

The Pajaro River cuts between Santa Cruz County (left) and Monterey County (right) past Pajaro and Watsonville before emptying into the Pacific Ocean. (Image: Robert Campbell/Wikimedia Commons)

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Advocates in Pajaro Focus on Community Building for Disaster Recovery

After a levee broke and the Pajaro River flooded the town of Pajaro, California, a coalition of agencies helped build a sense of community among residents to create a strong foundation for disaster recovery.

Riya Anne Polcastro

November 5, 2024

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles members attend a climate change protest. (Image courtesy of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.)

Advocacy Isn't Optional for Immigrant Communities on the Front Lines of Climate Change

The government was slow to act when a levee failure flooded a California community that is home to a majority immigrant population. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles stepped up to help them advocate for disaster recovery. Over a year later, they're still waiting for the promised funds to be allocated.

Riya Anne Polcastro

(Image courtesy of Woori Juntos.)

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Improving Disaster Outcomes by Bridging Language Gaps in Houston

When a deadly storm swept through Houston in May, emergency warnings were mostly sent out in English, leaving many immigrants and refugees without critical information. Woori Juntos is addressing language gaps by helping these communities navigate local services and organize to advocate for policy.

Riya Anne Polcastro

(Image: Zbynek Burival/Unsplash)

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

A Just Transition Starts with Ensuring Immigrant Oil Workers Know Their Rights

Somos Un Pueblo Unido is advocating for a just transition by helping immigrant workers in the oil and gas industry organize. Making sure they know their rights is the first step.

Riya Anne Polcastro

(Image: Somos un Pueblo Unido)

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

For a Just Energy Transition, Oil and Gas Workers Must be Heard

Decreasing the production of fossil fuels is an essential part of the energy transition to reduce carbon emissions, but without proper planning, immigrant oil and gas workers are set to suffer from the fallout. That's where the immigrant rights organization Somos un Pueblo Unido comes in.

Riya Anne Polcastro

Climate protesters at a march in New York City. (Image courtesy of National Partnership for New Americans)

JUSTICE + EQUALITY

Immigrants Are a Vital Voice in the Climate Movement: Will Environmentalists Listen?

Their lived experiences give immigrants invaluable insight into the climate crisis, yet their voices are largely excluded from mainstream environmental movements. The National Partnership for New Americans is looking to change that by shifting the climate migration narrative.

Riya Anne Polcastro

January 2, 2024