LATINO VOTERS IN KEY STATES WANT ACTION ON GLOBAL WARMING, WILL VOTE ON CLIMATE

Apr 14, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Andrea L. Delgado, 202-230-6592 
Joel Finkelstein, 202-822-5200 x279

New NLCCC Study on Climate Change Attitudes Latino Voters in Key States Want Global Warming Action, Will Vote on Climate

WASHINGTON, DC – According to a new poll released today, Latino voters in three key states say that climate change is a voting issue going into closely-watched mid-term elections. In Colorado, Florida and Nevada, Latino voters say they consider climate change a serious problem that demands immediate action by Congress. These three states are on the front lines of both the politics and impacts of climate change.

“The data is clear,” said National Latino Coalition on Climate Change (NLCCC) Chair Rafael Fantauzzi. “In these three states, 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.

The poll was commissioned by NLCCC, and it comes following months of attacks on climate science worldwide, and an uncertain future for global warming legislation. According to the new polling:

“Latino voters are on the front lines of global warming, and their voice is going to be heard in November,” said Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez, NLCCC vice-chair. “If Senate candidates in Florida, Nevada and Colorado are smart, they’ll take these findings seriously. Both parties know Latino voters are a key and growing constituency, especially in these states.”

The poll comes as the NLCCC kicks off a major effort over the next several months to work with Latino communities, business leaders, the labor movement and elected officials in these states to mobilize an active constituency for action on climate and energy policy.

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 of the National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. (NPRC), the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) and the Hispanic Federation. They are working collaboratively to ensure that Latinos have an integral voice in the national dialogue on climate change.

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Note: NLCCC spokespersons are available to address Spanish language media.

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LISTEN TO AUDIO FROM THIS MORNING'S PRESS CONFERENCE CALL

CLICK BELOW FOR FULL REPORT "Attitudes of Latino Voters on Energy Policy and Climate Change: Results of Initial Multi-State Poll"

CLICK HERE FOR NLCCC REPORT

• 
  If you are having problems viewing the document contact:
  
  Andrea L. Delgado
  NLCCC Fellow
  202-230-6592
  adelgado@lclaa.org
  

REACTIONS TO NLCCC POLL

SIERRA CLUB

"These surveys confirm that Latinos in the United States are ready to fight climate change by embracing clean energy solutions that will benefit families and clean up communities," said Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. "Latino voters overwhelmingly want clean energy legislation and are ready to support candidates who share their commitment. We applaud our friends at the National Latino Coalition on Climate Change (NLCCC) for commissioning this important research."

CONGRESSMAN BEN RAY LUJAN (NM-3)

"These results clearly show that climate change and energy reform are issues of particular concern to Latinos, which isn't surprising because Latinos are greatly affected by both climate change and a growing clean energy economy. We need to move forward with the ideas supported by a large majority of Latinos -- a renewable requirement, higher energy efficiency standards, capping carbon pollution, and as well as many others that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, fight climate change, create jobs and improve our national security."

Congressman Ben R. Lujan is the Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Task Force on Green Economy and Renewable Energy.