Climate Action & Social Justice in Hispanic and Indigenous Communities

Sustainability Associate Hanna De La Vega Sanchez recently sat down with Cindy Ramirez as part of the Forum’s monthly Spanish-language sustainability series on La Ponderosa Radio in Grand Rapids. (Una versión en español de esta publicación está disponible aquí).

At the heart of Cindy Ramirez’s advocacy is a deep respect for heritage, equity, and the environment. For her, climate action isn’t only about policy, it’s about people, tradition, and the responsibility to ensure healthier, more just communities.

Cindy emphasizes the importance of honoring Indigenous knowledge systems that teach harmony with the Earth. These ancestral practices, from natural foods as medicine to ceremonial traditions, hold lessons for today’s climate resilience efforts. “Without knowing our roots, we can’t move forward and make positive changes in our communities,” she explained. “Indigenous traditions remind us how connected we are to the Earth. Natural food grown from the soil is our medicine—this is sacred knowledge.”

On the broader impact of federal climate action, Cindy pointed to Grand Rapids’ 49507 zip code, which had some of the worst air quality in 2023. Latino families in the area bore the brunt of pollution, but federal investments through the Inflation Reduction Act are now helping communities access clean energy, home improvements, and healthier living conditions. “The 49507 community stood up, and now climate investments are helping us fight for clean air and a better quality of life,” she said.

Her advocacy also draws from César E. Chávez’s legacy. This year, Cindy helped organize the 25th César E. Chávez March, bringing together five ethnic communities under one roof to honor his vision. Chávez’s early fight against pesticide exposure for farmworkers continues to inspire today’s climate justice movement, reminding us that labor rights, environmental safety, and public health are deeply connected.

Looking ahead, both Cindy and Hanna stressed the importance of education, advocacy, and civic engagement. MiSBF plays a vital role in connecting communities to climate funding, tools, and partnerships, ensuring that Hispanic, Indigenous, and other underrepresented voices are at the table in shaping Michigan’s sustainable future.

The conversation concluded with two powerful takeaways:

• Cindy’s call for communities to reclaim their roots and empower the next generation through cultural knowledge and climate action.
• MiSBF’s ongoing commitment to ensuring climate investments reach those most impacted, building an equitable and resilient Michigan for all.

Listen to the segment in Spanish here:

Cindy Ramirez shares about indigenous knowledge and climate resilience.

Discussion about the role of organizations and individuals in advancing climate solutions.