2024 GLISA Small Grant: Equitable Climate Adaptation for Latine Minnesotans

Project Summary

Communities of color across the state of Minnesota are feeling the unequal impacts of climate change and environmental injustice. At the same time, black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) are far less likely than white Minnesotans to engage in outdoor activities. COPAL addresses these issues through community education, direct services, outdoor community engagement, justice for workers, and coalition leadership. COPAL builds power primarily with first, second, and third generation Latine immigrants living in Minnesota. Through this project, COPAL will engage hundreds of Latines through community sessions, events, and individual conversations. Community members will gain a greater connection with nature and will learn about climate adaptation and pollution on human health. COPAL will also lead policy efforts to protect immigrants and BIPOC communities in Minnesota. This project amplifies Minnesota’s environmental justice movement and expands a robust group of activists and communities that are able to adapt to climate change.

Anticipated Outcomes
  • Robust outreach & education programming using social media, radio, and TV 
  • Outdoor activities and education with community members through El Pueblo es Poderoso (The People are Powerful) program
  • One-on-one conversations and education with families and community members
  • Student engagement through college tours and student visits at COPAL’s Workers Center
  • Community events educating individuals about the impacts of pollution and climate change
Anticipated Impacts
  • This work will inspire change at both an individual and systems level.
  • Community members will have access to bilingual education and resources on climate adaptation, pollution, and environmental rebate programs.
  • Youth and community members will learn about green jobs and how to become qualified for these positions.
  • Eligible families will learn how to navigate environmental rebate programs available to them through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 
  • Minnesota’s environmental justice movement will gain momentum and will inspire a larger and educated base of activists and communities that are able to adapt to climate change.
  • Community leaders will build capacity to lead campaigns to pass and enforce policies that protect Latine communities.
GLISA Contribution

GLISA funded this 2024 small grant project and will support climate education through foundational climate 101 presentations. GLISA will also help connect COPAL with a network of Great Lakes regional partners.

Project Contacts

  • COPAL: Carolina Ortiz, Associate Executive Director
  • COPAL: Melody Arteaga, Environmental Justice Coordinator
  • GLISA: Tori Field, Sustained Engagement Specialist, gravesvi@umich.edu