A personal story about God and pollution

Three weeks ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthened measures to combat air and water pollution from power plants. I have particularly strong feelings about pollution. I am a 5th generation Mexican American and my family’s roots are on Tucson’s South Side. My family suffered severe health consequences from exposure to toxins dumped in the community. I am also a young Catholic and share Pope Francis’ moral belief that poisoning ourselves with pollution is contrary to God’s plan.

EPA regulations will prevent 1,200 deaths and 360,000 asthma symptoms each year, and will also finally address our nation’s second-largest source of climate pollution. We Arizonans know that water is precious, and EPA’s action will also reduce 660 million pounds of toxic wastewater pollution each year. We need to celebrate these lifesaving measures and embrace the movement towards a cleaner, healthier world.

It is important to recognize that pollution exists everywhere and puts us all at risk. Yes, it’s true that more than 70% of power plants are in communities of color and low-income communities. That’s embarrassing. But let’s recognize that our planet is small and interconnected. Air and water pollution is widespread and can harm your health no matter where you live.

I am convinced that God did not intend for us to lose thousands of lives to soot pollution and cancer because of our dependence on dirty fuels and toxic substances. Pope Francis has said that polluting our air and water is “a sin against ourselves and a sin against God.” We are self-destructing. More precisely, industries are destroying our health, and we are letting them go unchecked. But a better world is possible, and I’m glad EPA is doing its part.

Pollution is personal to me. Recently, while working with Catholic Care for Creative Work, I began digging into my own family’s history of vulnerability to pollution. As I learned more, I became very proud of my family’s resilience, which like many other Hispanic families on Tucson’s South Side, has overcome adversity.

As a child, I remember sitting in my aunt’s hospital room, praying the Rosary tirelessly and asking for the intercession of the Virgin Mary to save my aunt’s life. Since then, I have learned about a toxin called trichlorethylene, a solvent used to clean airplanes. For decades from the 1970s to his ’80s, these chemicals were carelessly dumped in the area. They leach into the air and into the drinking water of thousands of families, resulting in lupus, leukemia, and other horrific cancers and diseases. Despite being one of the nation’s largest water lawsuits at $130 million, compensation for thousands of people amounted to less than $10,000 for many families, a fraction of their medical costs. Only.

My family is so grateful that my aunt is still alive despite her battle with lupus. Fortunately, her older brother is also healthy, having battled leukemia since he was three years old. This is just a small part of how pollutants affect your family.

The reality of pollution is terrifying. But supportive changes are expected. Americans are becoming more aware and vocal in demanding better guardrails. The EPA and other government agencies are responding to and increasing protection measures against various types of pollution. Industrial polluters seem to only stop polluting if they are forced to do so by government means.

I believe that God is with us in our endeavors and will lead us to a healthier environment for our future. Finally, we conclude with a hopeful message from Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation, Laudate Deum, published last fall.

“I ask you to accompany us on this pilgrimage of reconciliation with our home, the world, and to help us make it a more beautiful place.”