CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES NLCCC

Sep 15, 2010

CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE RECOGNIZES NLCCC

WASHINGTON, DC- For the second year in a row, the work of the National Latino Coalition on Climate Change (NLCCC) was showcased at the 2010 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Policy Conference. The 2010 CHCI Latino Innovation Recognitions hosted by Congressman Ben Ray Lujan and Congressman Cardoza highlighted the NLCCC for our initiatives to educate Latinos about climate change, energy independence, and a green, healthy environment.

Communities of color are at the front lines of climate change impacts but too often our vouce is not included in the debate.  Preceding the panel Green Economy Leading the Way, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan highlighted the NLCCC and the poll Attitudes of Latino Voters on Climate Change and Energy Policy which sought to document the opinions of Latinos about global warming, clean energy and their likelihood to vote for a candidate that supports proposals for fighting global warming.

The NLCCC study polled 900 Latino voters in Florida, Nevada and Colorado and found that Latinos care about global warming- and they vote:

• Overwhelming majorities of Latino voters in Florida (80%), Nevada (67%) and Colorado (58%) say they are more likely to vote for a U.S. Senate candidate that supports proposals for fighting global warming. Virtually no one is less likely.
• About three out of four Latino voters in Florida (76%) and Nevada (74%), and about two out of three voters in Colorado (64%), consider global warming very or somewhat serious. Three out of four Latino voters in each state say Congress should take action now.
• By about three to one, Latino voters in these states say switching to a clean energy economy will mean more U.S. jobs (66% in Florida, 72% in Nevada, 64% in Colorado). Over 8 out of 10 voters in each state reject the idea that fighting global warming will hurt the American economy.

Each state poll sampled 300 registered voters who identified themselves as either Hispanic or Latino, and has a margin of error of +/- 5.66%. It was conducted between March 3 and March 8, 2010.

The NLCCC is a joint effort led by the National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. (NPRC), the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), and the Hispanic Federation. The NLCCC leadership is working collaboratively with 13 of the most prominent national Latino organizations to ensure that Latinos have an integral voice in the national dialogue on climate change and energy issues. Visit us at www.LatinoCoalitionOnClimateChange.org
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