skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

MI empowers disadvantaged communities for clean energy; Biden high-stakes interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos set to broadcast tonight; Report: National project helps MN push back against deforestation; NE crisis response system needs bolstering,

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

President Biden rushes to reassure a weary party and public, Pennsylvania lawmakers want to prevent state-supported schools divesting from Israel and abortion-related ballot measures could be on the ballot in a dozen states.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A new wildfire map shows where folks are most at risk of losing a home nationwide, rural North Carolina groups promote supportive and affordable housing for those in substance-abuse recovery, and bookmobiles are rolling across rural California.

Poll: Westerners Remain Strongly Supportive of Conservation Issues

play audio
Play

Thursday, February 16, 2023   

Climate change, pollution, effects from oil and gas drilling and a strong concern for protecting drinking water are just some of the issues New Mexicans cited as top concerns in a new conservation poll.

The Land of Enchantment was one of eight western states in which residents were asked about issues and policies related to the outdoors. The "State of the Rockies" poll has been conducted by Colorado College for the past 13 years.

Maite Arce, president and CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation, said conservation is especially important to people of color, because they are being affected the most by the Colorado River crisis.

"When we talk about conservation, we're talking about much more than protecting land, waters and climate that surrounds us," Arce explained. "Conservation is also having to do with our health, the economy, work and social justice."

New Mexico is among seven Western states getting some of their water from the Colorado River. Distribution is guided by the 100-year-old Colorado River Compact. Late last month, participating states missed a federal deadline to agree on water use to meet the river's declining capacity. The decision is now in the hands of the federal Bureau of Reclamation.

In New Mexico, 85% of those polled support achieving a national goal of conserving 30% of land and inland waters in America and 30% of ocean areas by 2030.

Arce pointed out research shows communities of color are three times more likely to live in a nature-deprived place than their white counterparts.

"Nature's supposed to be a great equalizer," Arce observed. "In reality, however, American society distributes nature's benefits and the effects of its destruction and decline, unequally by race, income and age."

Arce also noted 87% of respondents said they support ensuring Native American Tribes have greater input into decisions made about areas on national public lands containing sites sacred or culturally important to their tribe.

Disclosure: The Hispanic Access Foundation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Environment, Human Rights/Racial Justice, and Livable Wages/Working Families. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
Alabama community colleges will receive an additional $35 million in state funding for 2025. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

Alabama's universities and community colleges will receive increased funding for 2025. The state's universities are set to get a 7% boost equivalent …


Social Issues

play sound

Data show older voters are an influential demographic in Wyoming elections and a new series of videos asks candidates questions specific to the group…

Environment

play sound

New Mexicans affected by recent wildfires and subsequent flooding may be eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Program benefits. The …


A Michigan Healthy Climate Plan recommendation is to meet a goal of 100% clean energy no later than 2050. (pinkrabbit/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

The effects of climate change often hit Michigan's most vulnerable communities hardest, prompting state environmental organizations to take action…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Nevada is among a handful of states to add a surcharge to all phone bills intended to help support the state's 988 mental health emergency hotline…

Farmworkers laboring in extreme heat are at risk of heatstroke or even death. (F Armstrong Photo/Adobe Stock)

play sound

The Biden administration is proposing rules to protect workers from extreme heat. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said its …

Environment

play sound

Deforestation remains a concern in the U.S. but success stories are emerging and Minnesota advocates said new achievements bode well for all …

Health and Wellness

play sound

As the summer sun blazes, especially in the Sunshine State, it is easy to get caught up in the fun and excitement of the season. But according to …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021