Healthy Planet
Natalia has worked for years at the intersection of health and environmental justice. The threat to our environment is one of the most critical issues facing the communities of the 4th Congressional District, our state, the country, and our planet, especially because President Trump has recklessly reversed and repealed dozens of commonsense safeguards that protect our people and planet.
Overwhelming scientific evidence tells us that we must act now to avoid drastic, long-term negative consequences. It is not a question of if. It is not even a question of when. People are suffering the consequences of pollution and poor air quality, environmental degradation, and climate change today. And without redoubling our efforts, in our children’s lifetime, Massachusetts will see an average temperature increase of 8 degrees and a rise in sea levels of 4 to 10 feet, and irreparable damage to our planet.
Natalia believes that our response to COVID-19 is an opportunity to rethink what communities we want to live in, and that must include support for federal and local climate action and strengthening environmental protection. She will fight to align COVID-19 recovery efforts with those to advance the Green New Deal as a legislative North Star.
In particular, she will focus on correcting systemic injustices and working for frontline and vulnerable communities, as well as indigenous peoples, to build resilience and fight for environmental justice: an issue she has focused on for many years as a public servant at the United Nations and the New York City Health Department.
Natalia is committed to:
Transportation policy that works for people and the environment.
As a Congresswoman, Natalia will focus on securing federal funding for public transportation projects that can improve the quality of life for the citizens of the district, like the South Coast Rail, as well as walkable neighborhoods and bike lanes that enable active living. Investments to reduce GHG emissions of the transportation sector, aligned with transit-oriented development, will also provide needed transportation options for people to get to work, school, or the doctor.
Transition to renewable energy and putting a price on carbon.
Natalia will push for investing in clean energy and infrastructure, leveraging current low demand for fossil fuels, and ensuring bailouts and investments are focused on renewable energy. She will support a carbon tax, while ensuring that these efforts do not negatively impact low-income households. In Congress, Natalia will be a strong advocate for offshore wind, which can generate a significant amount of clean affordable energy for Massachusetts, and create jobs and economic opportunities for Fall River, Taunton, and Somerset.
Creating a just transition to a low-carbon economy.
Natalia will support efforts to invest in career pathways in the low-carbon economy, worker training and re-training for those harmed by the energy transition, as well as providing support for displaced workers.
Ensuring that the health care sector and hospitals ‘walk the talk.’
Natalia will advocate for reducing their emissions through better energy, water, and waste management policies in health care facilities. Natalia will support policies to build climate resilience in the health care sector to ensure continuous operations during climate emergencies, and encourage stronger advocacy from doctors, nurses, and public health professionals to address the climate emergency.
Engaging the youth movement.
Natalia believes that youth and youth movements are an essential voice for climate and environmental policy. She is committed not only to listening to their voices and perspectives, but also ensuring that she is inviting those most impacted, including youth of color and Indigenous youth, to shape the plans and solutions of the future.
Leading the world.
The United States must urgently return to the role of a global leader on climate and as a Congresswoman, Natalia will work to mobilize support for the U.S. to immediately re-enter the Paris Climate Accord and rally other nations to aggressively pursue environmental targets.