Powering Change: Latinx Leaders Driving Energy Justice

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Latinx Heritage Month recognizes the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx communities across the United States. This month-long celebration highlights the continuous impact of those whose ancestors hail from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America.

Here at Vote Solar, we know how important it is to acknowledge the role Latinxs play in shaping the future of energy justice. From advocating for clean energy solutions in underserved communities to leading the fight against environmental inequities, Latinx leaders and organizations have long been at the forefront of this critical movement. Energy justice focuses on ensuring that all communities, regardless of income or race, have access to affordable, sustainable energy while addressing the disproportionate environmental impacts felt by underserved and overburdened communities.

Below, we’ve curated a list of Latinx-led organizations and activists working to advance energy justice across the U.S. These groups are tirelessly advocating for a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable energy future. We encourage you to explore their work, support their efforts, and join the fight for energy justice in your own community.

Belén Páez of Fundación Pachamama is an Ecuadorian ecologist and president of Fundación Pachamama, specializing in climate change, the Amazon, and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. As the secretary general of the Amazon Sacred Watersheds Initiative, she collaborates with various indigenous groups to protect 35 million hectares of land. With 25 years of experience, Baez has led initiatives focused on forest economics, ecotourism, renewable energies, and legal actions for nature and climate justice, achieving significant victories for tropical forest conservation and indigenous land rights in Ecuador and Peru. She also currently serves as president of the Terra Mater Association, committed to advancing systemic transitions toward post-extractive economies over the next decade.
Chispa, a program of the League of Conservation Voters, is dedicated to building grassroots movements for climate justice within Latinx communities across the United States. With a mission to engage and empower Latinxs in the fight against climate change, Chispa addresses the environmental challenges that disproportionately affect these communities, advocating for policies that promote clean air, water, and equitable access to renewable energy resources. Chispa works through community organizing, education, and advocacy to mobilize Latinx voices in the broader environmental movement. By raising awareness about the impacts of climate change and environmental degradation, the program equips individuals and communities with the tools they need to take action and demand accountability from policymakers and corporations.
Francisco Vera of Guardians for Life Movement is a 13-year-old Colombian activist and environmental advocate, recently named the first youth advocate for environmental and climate action in Latin America and the Caribbean by UNICEF. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and currently based in Spain, Francisco is dedicated to promoting environmental education and child participation in climate action. As a passionate defender of the right to a healthy environment, Francisco has been actively involved in education initiatives for years, notably through his work with the group “Guardians for Life.” Leveraging his presence on social media and engaging in virtual environmental activism, he amplifies his fight for climate justice, children’s rights, and human rights, striving to inspire young people to become agents of change.
Esperanza Community Housing is a social justice non-profit in South Central Los Angeles that achieves long-term, comprehensive community development through a commitment to developing and preserving affordable housing, elevating health equity and access to care, mobilizing for environmental justice, protecting local economic opportunities, expanding engagement in arts and culture, and advocating for policies protecting human rights. Approaching community work from a holistic standpoint, Esperanza Community Housing supports initiatives that promote a healthy and sustainable development strategy for their community, across various sectors from health to housing to environment. They joined the campaign with People Not Pozos to successfully shut down the toxic AllenCo urban oil field that poisoned the community for decades.
EcoMadres: A program of Clean Air Moms mission is to empower and mobilize Latinx communities to fight for clean air, equitable climate change solutions, and protections from toxic chemicals. Its growing network of state-based field teams and allies in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Nevada, and Texas helps Latinx communities have conversations with lawmakers at the state and federal levels about the connection between environmental issues and our children’s health. Clean energy is essential to EcoMadres. Energy from renewable, sustainable sources that doesn’t pollute the air or contribute to climate change is their goal. In every campaign they work on, from power plant regulation to clean transportation, including electric school buses, they advocate for them to be powered using clean energy from solar, wind, geothermal, or hydro.
Xiye Bastida of the Re-Earth Initiative is a 21-year-old Mexican climate justice activist from the Otomi-Toltec Indigenous community in the highlands of Central Mexico. She is a leading voice in the youth climate movement. She co-founded the Re-Earth Initiative in 2020 to uplift frontline communities and advocate for solutions. Xiye has organized major climate strikes, including a 300,000-person march in New York, and has spoken at prominent events like the Biden Climate Summit and COP26. In addition to her advocacy work, she serves as a UN Ambassador, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Champion, and has contributed to the All We Can Save anthology. Xiye is also an Environmental Studies major at UPenn.