“They place great importance on clean water, clean air, access to public lands and outdoor spaces. Really, it's about not just environmental stewardship and the integrity of taking care of our environment but also keeping our families and communities healthy.”

Arce says the number one thing Latino parents can do is to educate children. “We can educate them about sustainability.”

And foster a connection to the outdoors. One way to do that is to volunteer. “Those volunteer opportunities are a wonderful way to connect and build a network for young people, as well as give back and feel that sense of purpose.”

Arce envisions empowering Latino youth with opportunities in renewable energy jobs and urban forestry, training them as experts in the community, and involving them in weather preparedness. All this combined to build stronger, more resilient communities throughout the US.

“It's important to keep optimistic, and it's important to be in community, and it's important to do the things that you can…”

Clip from the full news story written by Alexa Lorenzo for WALB 10 News.