Corpus Christi, TX — On Thursday, August 26, a group of local community members and organizations will come together to demand climate action and justice outside of the Port of Corpus Christi Luncheon hosted by ShaleMag at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, 900 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78401, beginning at 10:30 AM with a press conference to be held at 12 PM. Several CEOs from oil and gas corporations, Port of Corpus Christi CEO Sean Strawbridge, and Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales will be participating in a panel. 

Unfortunately, the Coastal Bend region has seen an explosion — literally and figuratively — of these polluter corporations in our area within the last few years. While many may see this as a positive due to the narrative that they create much-needed jobs, their presence has undeniably contributed to increased pollutants in our air and water, the accelerated loss of seagrass and wildlife habitats, and costly rate increases that will be passed onto customers if any of the proposed desalination plants are built. 

“A recent report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change showed that we must take immediate action to counteract climate change. It’s disheartening to see the Port of Corpus Christi pursue projects that result in nothing more than greenwashing. These initiatives come at a time when port customers are requesting amendments to their permits to increase greenhouse gas emissions. The Port of Corpus Christi can remain the “Energy Port of the Americas,” and live up to its mission of driving prosperity in communities by seeking sustainable energy alternatives.” said Elida Castillo, Program Director of Chispa TX  

“The residents of the Coastal Bend have been negatively impacted by environmental pollution for decades, as a direct result of fossil fuel extraction, production, processing, and exporting activities, which all have detrimental health impacts on our communities.” said Melissa Zamora, member of For the Greater Good and The Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend “Our Black and Brown neighborhoods bear the brunt of most of this industrial pollution in the form of pipeline ruptures, explosions, spills, and chemical leaks, to name a few. We deserve better and will not stop defending our sacred coast lines with the global climate and future generations in mind.”

“Asthma, cancer, lung damage, rashes, etc. have been linked to the industry and the devastating impacts on our world. We, the people, deserve more. We deserve a just transition away from fossil fuel.” added Love Sanchez, co-founder of The Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend

About
Chispa Texas (TX) is a program of the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and League of Conservation Voters Education Fund (LCVEF) building the power of communities of color to achieve climate justice, community health, and hold both lawmakers and polluters accountable to our communities through grassroots organizing.

For the Greater Good is a local grassroots organization dedicated to the betterment of our community. At the very least, our local government should provide safe, reliable drinking water, a clean, safe environment to live in, and quality infrastructure for all its residents. We believe our governing bodies should place people before profits. For far too long, our public officials have neglected the people’s needs as they catered to industries’ demands. We will no longer tolerate such perverse priorities. We are working to organize and mobilize the community. We are working toward shifting the priorities of our elected officials and improving the overall quality of life in our community. We are FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

South Texas Human Rights Center is a community based center dedicated to the promotion, protection, defense and exercise of human rights and dignity in South Texas.

Texas Campaign for the Environment is an organization empowering Texans to change corporate and governmental policy through sustained grassroots organizing campaigns. 

The Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend is an intertribal organization based in Corpus Christi, TX that was founded in 2018. Our mission is to preserve Indigenous culture and the natural world through environmental and social justice advocacy, tribal ceremonies, grassroots organizing, mutual aid efforts, and various forms of cultural education.

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