Voces Verdes: Latino-owned Businesses Want Action on Climate

“We want to invest in clean tech. Give us a signal!”

While working on Capitol Hill last summer, I sat in on numerous Congressional committee hearings where business leaders and venture capitalists testified about global warming. Their message was consistent and clear: they want to throw millions of dollars behind clean energy companies -- the types of companies that are already sprouting up throughout countries like China, Germany and Spain -- but something is preventing them from writing the check. With no government cap on global warming pollution, investors lack the certainty they need to put their dollars behind clean, renewable energy industries.

Isn’t America known for its talent, creativity and innovation? We should be leading the world in emerging clean technologies. Our venture capitalists are chomping at the bit to fund clean energy projects, but they are waiting for a clear signal from Congress: comprehensive climate legislation that will stop sending money to hostile foreign countries and create thousands of American clean energy jobs with equal opportunities for everyone. We need a carbon cap to jumpstart clean tech growth now.

Even while our senators are stalling, the business voice is only growing louder and harder to ignore. My colleague Pete Altman just did a great job highlighting the national business movements that have stepped up to say they want climate legislation now.

And I’m excited to report that Latino business owners are joining the call for action. Dozens of Latino-owned and operated businesses across the country have signed onto Voces Verdes, a new coalition of Hispanic companies, teachers, parents, local leaders and workers who have declared that they want cleaner air and a healthier planet now. Add your voice. Add your company’s voice. Tell your friends. And post it on Facebook.

We know that politicians need it laid out clearly, so tell them what you want. I want a brighter, cleaner, more prosperous future. How about you?