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Environmental role urged for Latinos

SUMMIT: Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez puts global warming into a public health context.

12:41 AM PDT on Saturday, September 9, 2006

By JENNIFER BOWLES
The Press-Enterprise

The man behind California's recently passed landmark bill to curb global warming said Friday that he hopes Latino voters will take an active role in the issue and help put it on the national agenda for the next presidential election.

"Climate change is a reality, and it puts in danger our sustainability," said Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez, D-Los Angeles.

"It should be of special importance to Latinos because Latinos for the most part live in the inner cities and are exposed to many carbon-based gases (from industries), which not only impact the environment but public health."

Nuñez made his remarks to reporters after addressing the National Latino Congreso, billed as the first major summit of Latino leaders and community members in nearly 30 years.

The four-day event in downtown Los Angeles devoted Friday to examining environmental issues, with much of the talk focusing on global warming and praise for Nuñez's role in leading the charge.

"It's great to have such a strong leader and one who can speak about the issue in both English and Spanish," said Irma Munoz, president of Mujeres de la Tierra, an environmental group that is taking part in a revitalization of the Los Angeles River, among other projects.

Nuñez and Assemblywoman Fran Pavley, D-Agoura Hills, co-authored the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, which would limit emissions of heat-trapping gases from power plants, refineries and other sources.

Known as AB32, it was passed by the Legislature last week and awaits Gov. Schwarzenegger's signature.

The governor announced his support for the bill after reaching an agreement with the Democrats on key points of contention.

Nuñez said after his address that he was always an activist and had a good voting record on environmental issues but had never taken a strong leadership role on an environmental issue before.

"But when I learned more and more about global warming, I came to the conclusion that we've got to do something to stop it," he said.

"I take a look at my own children and think that if we don't do something significant, ultimately, we're going to run ourselves down."

He said he hopes other states and countries follow California's lead.

"These heat-trapping gases really are going to destroy this world. They're going to destroy this planet. It's no joke."

Reach Jennifer Bowles at 951-368-9548 or jbowles@PE.com