Article Provided By ORTA Team
Figure 1: Group Picture Green Latinos National Summit (Photo Credit: Green Latinos).
From May 7-10, Lidia Cucurull, the Director of the Quantitative Observing System Assessment Program (QOSAP) in the NOAA Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Office of Research, Transition, and Application (ORTA), had the opportunity to participate in the Green Latinos annual meeting held in El Yunque, Puerto Rico. This meeting brought together a vibrant community of Latino/a/x leaders committed to equity, dismantling racism, and advocating for environmental conservation and climate justice.
Figure 2: Panelists representing different organizations advocating for environmental conservation in Puerto Rico (Photo Credit: NOAA).
QOSAP’s involvement was marked by active engagement with the Green Latinos community. Dr. Cucurull took the opportunity to inform various groups about the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) roles and its support for environmental activities. A significant highlight was the interaction with graduate students, where Dr. Cucurull discussed potential opportunities at NOAA for young scientists, fostering interest and awareness among the upcoming generation of environmental professionals.
The annual meeting was structured to maximize impact and engagement through a mix of plenary sessions and focused breakout sessions. These sessions facilitated deep dives into specific issues affecting the Latino/a/x community, fostering a collaborative environment where advocates could build strong connections. The summit served as a critical platform for advancing discussions on environmental and conservation issues pertinent to Latino/a/x communities.
The event saw a diverse group of participants, predominantly from non-profit organizations, along with representatives from U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture. This mix of participants underscored the collaborative spirit of the meeting, uniting various stakeholders to drive forward the agenda of environmental justice and equity.
Overall, the Green Latinos annual meeting was a successful and enriching event. QOSAP’s participation highlighted NOAA’s commitment to supporting environmental activities and fostering new talent in the field. The connections made and the discussions held are expected to contribute significantly to the collective efforts in environmental and conservation advocacy within Latino/a/x communities.
Figure 4: Discussions and talks held pertaining to environmental and conservation advocacy within Latino/a/x communities (Photo Credit: NOAA).
This engagement not only showcased the shared commitment to environmental and climate justice, but it also strengthened the ties between NOAA and the communities it aims to serve.