More Latinos than non-Latinos feel environmental quality is an important factor in making life decisions, according to new data published by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce annual report known as DATOS Arizona showed that environmental conditions were a major issue for Latinos in the past year. In some cases, the environment was a bigger issue for Latinos than people who are not Latino.
More Latinos, about 57%, than non-Latinos, about 40%, feel environmental conditions such as heat, pollution and poor air quality harm their family's health, according to the DATOS report, which WestGroup Research put together. The Phoenix-based research group compiled the survey data.
It found that fewer Latinos
than non-Latinos feel they live in a community with good environmental quality. About 26% of Latinos said they lived in a community with good or excellent environmental quality, as opposed to 31% of non-Latinos.
The report also showed that environmental quality played a bigger role for Latinos than for non-Latinos when deciding where to live, work and raise a family.
Around 81% of Latinos said environmental quality was very important or extremely important in making life decisions. About 68% of non-Latinos said this decision is important to them when making big life decisions.
Also, the study found, more Latinos than non-Latinos said they would support increased investment in environmental programs, even if it meant more public funding. About 68% of Latinos said they supported investments in environmental infrastructure, while only 60% of non-Latinos said they supported it.
The report cited extreme heat was the environmental issue most concerning for Latinos in Arizona.
The 2026 DATOS report was presented during the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's 30th annual State of Arizona's Hispanic Market Event where elected leaders, business leaders and researchers come together for a presentation of the annual report.
This year's event focused on environmental issues and featured speakers such as the President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mónica S. Villalobos; Former U.S. Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti; Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.
The event also highlighted Latino contributions to the economy and how AI can be used to understand the economic impacts faced by Latino communities.
Hobbs and Gallego touted their sustainability efforts such as the creation of the state's first chief heat officer and Phoenix's cool pavement program.
Villalobos said the data regarding Latinos' attitudes towards climate change showed that the community "is really feeling it."
"This event really caused us to practice a lot of introspection and to look at our own practices and things that we do," Villalobos said. "What difference could I possibly make? What difference would one person make?"
During her speech, Villalobos said the chamber of commerce tried to "practice what we preach" by offering guests free canvas tote bags as opposed to plastic bags.
David Ulloa Jr covers the southwest Valley communities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Gila Bend. Reach him at david.ulloa@azcentral.com. Follow him on Instagram & X, formerly Twitter, @davidulloa_ii.
Like this story? Get more West Valley news straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free weekly West Valley Newsletter, which comes out on Tuesdays.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Environment is a bigger issue for Latinos than non-Latinos, data says
