Faith Leaders’ Letter to NM leaders: We have a ‘moral responsibility to act now’ on climate

Dozens of faith leaders from around New Mexico have signed a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Cabinet and agency leaders and our State House Members and Senators urging them to take bold actions to address climate change.  The signators underscored the urgency of the moment and the opportunites to take action during the upcoming State Legislative session, which runs from January 17 to March 18, 2023.

“This past year we suffered from fires, floods, health concerns, early and extended heat, extreme wind, aridity, rivers going dry, farmers and ranchers suffering a loss of income, and growing immigrant numbers because of food insecurity. We also see many people, especially the young, struggling with mental health challenges associated with living in these worsening conditions,” said the letter.

“As the 2023 New Mexico Legislative Session begins we see the clock ticking, communities and Earth suffering, and our souls calling for a change. We are compelled to speak for strong actions in this session in several areas

  1.  Strong climate action for our state and government agencies which has at the forefront ethical concerns for equity; economic transition that puts workers and people first as we move from an outsized reliance on oil and gas; economic diversification; intergenerational justice; and care for our sacred land, water, air, and all in the community of life.
  2. Health systems that care for our communities and consider the health effects of climate change and the effects of extractive industries and their legacies on our communities.
  3. Our water concerns must have adequate funding for systemic change, which is required to address the dire issues of water quantity, quality, and aridity in the state. Modernizing water governance, engaging in robust water planning, and funds s to address a variety of concerns is wise stewardship.
  4. Adequate funding for public agencies to work in caring for the health, welfare, and common good.

Read full letter and see who has signed

If you would like to sign the letter as a New Mexico faith leader, contact Sister Joan Brown, joan@nm-ipl.org

Video from 350NM Speaker Series: “Living with Oil Wells as Neighbors”

What is it like to live in the Permian basin next to oil wells? How can we update the 1935 Oil and Gas Act to make it safer for the people living there? Join activists Kayley Shoup and Tannis Fox on this video recorded Oct 24, 2022 to find out.

The Green Amendment Moving Forward

Join with leaders & activists to  get the latest updates and learn about opportunities to engage on the New Mexico Green Amendment. 

Presenters will include

  • Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez
  • Representative Joanne Ferrary
  • Senator Shannon Pinto
  • Senator Harold Pope 
  • Representative Tara Lujan
  • Representative Patricia Roybal Caballero
  • Nena Benevidez, Creciendo Nuevo Mexico
  • Luis Guerrero, Sierra Club
  • Oriana Sandoval, Center for Civic Policy
  • Maya van Rossum, Green Amendments For The Generations 

To join the webinar sign up here

Internship Opportunity

If you are interested in a part-time paid internship opportunity to actively support the New Mexico Green Amendment, applications are being invited now.  Learn more 

Reminder – if you are the leader of the organization that has not yet signed up in support of, and to be a part of, the 2022/2023 effort to secure Green Amendment support of New Mexico’s environmental rights, you can do so at this link.  Signing in support lists you on the website, provides an opportunity for your logo to be on informational materials, and ensures your leadership role in advancing this powerful protection for New Mexico’s people and environments.  Even if you signed in support in the past, we ask that you please affirmatively reaffirm your support now as we won’t presume that past support means present support.