The goal of New Mexico Climate Justice is to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Founded in 2020, their resolve has grown as the climate crisis worsens. In 2022, the Rio Grande in Albuquerque ran dry for the first time in 40 years, and historic wildfires burned 900,000 acres. With the state’s annual temperatures projected to rise as much as 8.5°F by 2100, residents confront a perilous future. As organizers, protestors and storytellers, NMCJ amplifies the voices of those directly impacted by climate change. They work in collaboration with groups and activists fighting the oil, gas, mining, and nuclear industries, meet with residents and lawyers, issue calls to action, and have a robust 20K social media following. They recently celebrated a win in Rio Communities when the developer of a heavy industrial park withdrew his application. As a clearinghouse for direct action, NMCJ provides a foundation for citizens to mobilize against threats to the environment and New Mexicans’ future.
NM is Not A sacrifice zone: Protest against using fracking water outside of oil and gas operations organized in collaboration with YUCCA (Youth United for Climate Crisis Action) Valencia Water Watchers, Center for Biological Diversity)
New Mexico Climate Justice is a small organization (just one full-time staff) with an outsized impact. In Rio Communities (population 4,723, approximately 50% Hispanic), NMCJ is working with local grassroots groups, Protect Rio Communities and Valencia Water Watchers, as well as the University of New Mexico’s Law Clinic, to help residents fight the rezoning of 300 acres owned by Cibola Land Corporation. They have highlighted the threat by providing flyers, banners, letters of support, and attendance at public hearings. NMCJ is also joining grassroots groups in fighting to block Holtec International from building a facility to store up to 10,000 spent nuclear fuel canisters, as well as prevent New Mexico Gas Company from constructing a Liquified Natural Gas storage facility in Albuquerque, the $181 million cost would be passed on to ratepayers. While everyone benefits from this activism, NMCJ’s immediate focus is on residents most impacted – rural, indigenous, and people of color.
Public Hearing Rio Communities, over 200 community members came to this public hearing to voice their concerns for health, environment, noise light and air pollution before the Rio Communities Planning and Zoning Commission.