top of page

Espacio and Climate Power En Acción Showcase How Climate Progress Benefits Latinos Today



As climate change disproportionately affects the Latino community in the United States, the Clean Energy Plan emerges as a beacon of hope. Representing about 19% of the population, many Latinos face the brunt of adverse weather conditions, particularly those who work outdoors and live in vulnerable areas. 


“We can talk about the hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investments generated by the Clean Energy Plan, but that doesn't have the same impact as hearing and seeing the stories of how the plan is directly improving people's lives,” said Antonieta Cadiz, Deputy Executive Director of Climate Power En Acción. 


In a collaborative effort to shed light on the personal and economic benefits of clean energy initiatives, the creative communications hub Espacio, in partnership with its sister media company Tiempo Latino and Climate Power En Acciónlaunched the docu-series “Tierra Mía.” This series aims to showcase the real stories of individuals directly impacted by the transition to a greener economy in six key states: Arizona, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, and Michigan.


Espacio brought this idea to life, putting Latinos front and center as the stars of the climate story. By showing the real, positive impact of efforts to slow down climate change, the series inspire more people to get involved and take action.


“We're not just telling stories; we're creating cultura,” says Winston Peraza, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Espacio. “Storytelling has become overused. Our mission is not to simply talk to audiences but to co-create with them. At Espacio, we aim to make the communities we engage with the true protagonists, rather than passive consumers of content. That’s the essence of creating cultura.”


In Arizona for example, residents are grappling with soaring temperatures, often spending nearly $600 a month on air conditioning to stay cool. As heat levels continue to rise, many households are turning to solar panels to alleviate the financial burden of extreme weather. This shift comes at a crucial time, as Arizona ranks second in the nation for solar energy potential, and the clean energy industry is ramping up significantly within the state.


To date, climate and clean energy investments have generated approximately $10.57 billion in Arizona, placing it 11th in the country for such investments. These initiatives have not only contributed to economic growth but also created or advanced around 14,100 good-paying clean energy jobs, providing essential employment opportunities as the state transitions toward a greener economy.


Claudia Ginestra, Digital Content Lead at Tiempo Latino and host of “Tierra Mía,” emphasized the importance of these stories: “We’ve seen firsthand how Latinos are at the forefront of tackling climate change, driving change because they are impacted by it. It’s crucial for our communities to understand that real solutions come from policies, not just individual actions.”


Meanwhile, in Georgia, a Colombian family has built a successful HVAC business that benefits from tax credits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act. Rafael Ulloa, Deputy Publisher at Tiempo Latino, highlighted the economic potential: “In Georgia’s low-income communities, companies have announced over $4 billion in clean energy investments, creating thousands of good-paying jobs. This is more than just an economic opportunity; it’s a pathway for resilience and community empowerment.”


Since its launch, the docu-series "Tierra Mía" has gained significant traction, amassing nearly 300,000 views on YouTube by the end of October. It has been particularly popular in battleground states like Georgia and North Carolina, where viewership has exceeded expectations. In Georgia, the series has received 72% more views than anticipated, while North Carolina has seen a 55% increase.


Each episode of the docu-series is available on Tiempo Latino's YouTube channel featuring content focused on the opportunities and resources available to Latinos in the face of climate change.





Comments


bottom of page