Mark Magaña and GreenLatinos: 15 Years Later

GreenLatinos has been fighting for climate justice for 15 years

The impacts of the climate crisis are unforgiving. There are no means to reason with the wrath of the changing Earth, and unfortunately, its impacts disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

The mission of GreenLatinos is to continue to aid in environmental conservation and advocacy for climate justice. The organization, formally known as the National Latinos Coalition on Climate Change, began its work in 2008. Their work mainly focuses on voicing policy work to elected officials within Congress and aiding in legislative initiatives for climate justice.

Mark Magaña credited his founding of GreenLatinos to the life-changing events of birth and passing. Shortly after the birth of his first child, he made an effort to unite her with his mother, who was going through the late stages of leukemia, the cause of which is believed to have been associated with industrial benzene. After the union, Magaña pondered the future of his children and the impacts of the climate crisis on their generation, acknowledging, “Moments, when you’re at your lowest, is when you feel like ‘I got to change, I’ve got to go for it.’”

GreenLatinos advocacy work. Photo by Roma Vista Photography.

The genesis of GreenLatinos was primarily a focus on passing a national cap and trade bill, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. Unfortunately, the effort to boost the momentum and voice of the Latinos community in support of the bill “came too late,” Magaña explained. The bill failed to pass, yet the work of the organization was just beginning. Working largely in the legislative sector, the challenges continued during former President Trump’s term in office. The lack of concern for environmental justice on a federal level caused GreenLatinos to hone their focus on state organizations.

“Being able to, despite the president, move to advance things on a state level, not just play defense on a federal level. And emphasizing resourcing those who are doing the work, so we still get wins.”

The organization serves as a link across different sectors of climate justice to share a unified voice in government, public health, academics, and foundations. The most under-resourced are the frontline environment justice workers. GreenLatinos aims to service the work already being done, rather than overtake operations.

“Our ability to collaborate and further the mission of the entities that are already there is really our biggest investment; building that capacity, building resources, building the advocacy efforts, so small frontline community-based organizations can be at the same table as big green groups and determine their future themselves,” explained Magaña

GreenLatinos works to build the strength of the community, viewing it as the foundation for any movement. The voices of people of color are underrepresented across different sectors of environmental justice, yet the impact of the climate crisis is felt more profoundly among them. The Environmental Defense Fund notes one in two Latinos live in areas with ground-level ozone violations, and inequitable protective measures. Additionally, facing an array of people with experiences far removed from one’s own can be a deterrent in advocacy work. By creating connections among different sectors of advocacy and uniting everyone through frequent convenings, GreenLatinos has created an immutable foundation.

GreenLatinos meeting. Photo by Roma Vista Photography.

Showing care for the land has been integrated into the psyches of many a part of the Latino community. It is common for the community to attempt to fix broken items before purchasing a replacement or opening a tub of butter only to find it filled with anything but. Magaña expresses the need to follow Indigenous practices of the land to “really take care of what you have, take care of each other, the land, the air, the water.” The climate crisis has not shown grace for the Latino community, however. Flooding, droughts, and displacement are just a few outcomes plaguing Central American countries. The devastation of land loss also results in pieces of culture being swept away: food, language, communities.

Locally, GreenLatinos has worked on reporting the various violations from local energy corporations in North Denver, such as Suncor. They have worked to address the expansion of I-70 and its impacts on the neighborhoods surrounding the area. The growing population of Colorado has proved to be a challenge for tackling climate change. The expansion of the state has led to more housing and consequently, fewer green spaces, while also facing the ongoing issue of homelessness. GreenLatinos aims to center individuals who live in the areas impacted by these industrial entities to make their voices heard.

Under Magaña’s leadership, GreenLatinos is working towards expanding their local reach to other states by further providing resources, helping coordinate advocacy work, and offering spaces for individuals to convene.

“It’s going to take sustained activism over long periods of time to get us to a point where we are able to overcome the power of the oil and gas industry. It involves some sacrifice but when that sacrifice is done in the name of love, joy, music, and dancing, you can get out there day after day and do that work.”