Hi, my name is Natalie Martinez, and I am a third-year student at the University of Florida studying Political Science and Economics.
Ever since I was a child, I have cared deeply about protecting our planet. At first, that concern felt more like fear of some far-off environmental catastrophe. As I grew older I became more aware of the social and economic impacts of environmental harm, I began to understand that environmental injustice is not as distant as I once thought. For many people, it is part of everyday life. The harm is often much closer and more immediate, affecting people’s health, housing, land, safety, and ability to shape decisions in their own communities.
This is why I am so excited to join the Sierra Club. I admire the way this work brings together environmental protection, community advocacy, and political action. It reminds me that environmental issues are never just about the environment alone. At their core, these issues are about people, especially the communities most often left to carry the burden of pollution, displacement, unsafe infrastructure, and political neglect.
I am still learning where I can be most useful, but I am excited to support campaigns connected to water protection, the Florence Landfill, and efforts to prevent harmful developments such as data centers and detention or deportation facilities. These campaigns matter to me because they show how environmental justice connects directly to people’s lives. Coming from Miami and growing up with immigrant parents, I care deeply about work that protects both the environment and the people most affected by political and environmental decisions. I am grateful for the opportunity to join this team, learn from organizers and community members, and contribute to work that protects both people and the places they call home.