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Wednesday, December 25, 2024

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Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of the federal death row; Mississippi group working in 71 counties to end homelessness in Mississippi; Farmers no longer feeling Farm Bill anguish, but relief might be fleeting; Addressing Montana's expanding 'news deserts.'

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President-elect Donald Trump considers reclaiming Panama Canal. Lawmakers are uncertain Trump's cabinet will help everyday Americans and, advocates feel Biden must reconsider clemency actions.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

West's Latino voters want conservation over development on public lands

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Monday, February 19, 2024   

Voters, including 74% of Republicans, 87% of Independents and 96% of Democrats, would support candidates in elections who prioritize conservation on public lands, according to Colorado College's latest Conservation in the West Poll.

Maite Arce, president and CEO of the Hispanic Access Foundation, said the poll's spotlight on top concerns for Latino, Black and Indigenous voters showed clean water, clean air, wildlife and public lands are not just environmental issues.

"They are integral to their health, mental health, jobs, local economies," Arce outlined. "These elements also play a pivotal role in preserving culture and heritage."

Just 26% of voters surveyed want more public lands opened for fossil-fuel extraction. A strong majority said issues such as declining fish and wildlife populations, habitat loss, dwindling and polluted water supplies, microplastics, uncontrollable wildfires, air pollution, loss of pollinators and natural spaces were extremely or very serious problems.

Lori Weigel, principal of the research firm New Bridge Strategy, said virtually all groups surveyed across eight Mountain West states including Colorado agreed spending more time outdoors would improve mental health, especially for children.

"One thing that struck me as a mom of a teenager was that moms were the highest group here," Weigel observed. "Three quarters said they felt like spending more time in the outdoors would help the mental health crisis we're seeing in kids."

Nearly eight in 10 Latino voters said the impacts of climate change have been significant in their state over the past decade, with 73% agreeing clean energy production can be boosted while preserving natural areas.

Arce noted the poll confirmed Black, Indigenous and Latino communities, which are disproportionately impacted by air and water pollution, are ready and eager to be heard.

"It's our collective responsibility to amplify their voices, champion justice and ensure a future where everyone regardless of their background can enjoy the benefits of nature equally," Arce concluded.

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.


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