This month, we interviewed SanDiego350 volunteer, Daniel Hernandez to share about their climate activism. Daniel is part of the SD350’s Youth4Climate and Youth v. Oil.
How did you first get involved with SD350, and when was that?
I was first involved as a speaker at the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) electrification resolution on November 13th, 2023. With an interview with Telemundo and speaking at the rally, it was a lot more than I expected, which was only giving a speech to the board of trustees. That event has inspired me to work on the projects I am doing now such as writing an Op-Ed on SB-1137 and becoming the new South Bay Community Liaison for SD350.
What drives your activism?
As part of the youth and future, I know that if we don’t act, no one else will. Yet I didn’t think I could act until The SUHSD electrification resolution passed, showing me that although I’m a student, we can make change for the better of our community and environment.
What do you recommend to people who want to have a larger impact through the environmental movement? What do you prioritize in your own activism?
Organizations like SanDiego350 and resolutions written on paper mean nothing without a voice to advocate for them. Our strength is our voice. Showing up to events and knowing there is a need to speak up for our common ground is imperative.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you? Any fun facts?
I love public speaking and hope to reach a large audience with climate advocacy. After an environmental event, be it speaking at a rally or a meeting, I’ve made it a tradition to go hiking or to a nearby park as soon as possible to remind myself why I do this.