In this talk, Sophia uses her background in climate policy, social justice policy, progressive political strategy, and Latinx community organizing to discuss the critical next phase of creating a more inclusive and racially just climate movement. While it is becoming more accepted by leaders in the mostly white environmental movement that environmental racism has lead to disproportionate pollution and climate impacts on black and brown communities, the climate movement has done little to genuinely engage and build trust across cultural and racial boundaries. It is imperative both from an ethical and a political perspective to build bridges with communities of color from the historically white climate movement.

In order to have the best ideas and people at the table, the climate and conservation movements must build trust with black, indigenous, and people color (BIPOC) by support racial and economic equity and stepping up in this moment of historic social justice movement. Sophia an environmental policy advocate from the San Luis Valley (SLV), Colorado. She currently works at a long-standing conservation group on the Government Affairs team, focused on environmental justice, and racially just environmental policy and political strategy. She uses her combined experience as a Latina from Alamosa who witnessed firsthand the urgency of climate and racial equity action, as an environmental justice advocate, and as an employee of a white-led conservation organization to bring nuanced perspective on the topic of intersectional priorities in the climate movement. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx