Natalia Ortiz

Tell us how you got started working to combat climate change.

I was always aware of climate change, and I knew humans were responsible, but I really wasn’t worried. I thought the impacts would be felt hundreds of years from now. I was an inventor of children's products with two kids, a husband, and a dog. Never did I imagine I would end up working at a nonprofit for climate change. It wasn’t until I went to a climate lecture at The CLEO Institute that I realized I had to become involved. I pretty much went from zero to 100 after that lecture. It completely devastated me when I realized that not only were the impacts happening now but that my kids’ lives were at risk. When I realized as a mom that my kids weren’t going to have the same opportunities, and their life was going to be much harder, not just for mine, but for kids in general, it turned me into a climate ambassador immediately.

Tell us about the Cleo Institute.

The CLEO Institute was started in 2010 by Caroline Lewis, a science educator, who felt that education was what was missing when it came to lack of climate action. People simply didn’t understand why this was so important and what solutions were out there. CLEO’s role is to educate and empower people on the science, impacts, and solutions to the climate crisis. CLEO’s mission is to have an informed and engaged public that demands bold climate policies from our elected leaders, while championing solutions they can also take at home and in their community.

What do you do at the Cleo Institute?

I am the Director of Development. I work in fundraising, as well as developing programs and campaigns for CLEO. 

What are you working on?

CLEO just launched a very exciting campaign called the Florida Climate Crisis. Using science and art, we are exhibiting wax sculptures across our state that are iconic to Florida that will melt to reveal an impactful message that’s meant to make the climate crisis personal for Floridians. People need to wake up and make this a top concern because the climate crisis impacts our health, economy, immigration, national security, and biodiversity. It is also a huge social justice issue because the impacts are going to be suffered most by vulnerable communities.

Why is this election so important?

We don’t have more time. Scientists are telling us we must act now. The quickest way to lower our global warming pollution is through bold climate policies. As voters we need to be educated on the climate policies of the people we intend to support. People need to understand that our economy and health depends on our environment. If we destroy our environment, our health and economy will pay the price. The climate crisis has to become a top priority for people. The current administration has downplayed the climate crisis, similarly to what has happened with COVID-19. As voters we need to hold our elected officials accountable.

How does climate change relate to the election?

Unfortunately the climate crisis has become politicized, very much like what we’ve seen with COVID-19. The climate crisis is real, it’s happening, and top climate scientists are telling us we need to do more to lower our global warming pollution, but people still refuse to listen and that includes the current administration. People need to know that our Environmental Protection Agency is rolling back regulations that were put in place to protect our air and our water. We need those regulations to protect ourselves, and they are getting dismantled. Instead of investing in renewable energies, this administration wants to expand offshore oil drilling. We’re going backwards not forwards. People on both sides of the aisle need to come together on this issue because hurricanes and wildfires don’t care who you voted for. So we need to hold our elected officials accountable for what they are and aren’t doing to protect our planet.

What national policies should voters pay attention to related to climate change?

The biggest one I can think of is the Paris Accord. The U.S. is one of the world's top polluters, and it’s the only country that has pulled out. While some people like to point fingers at what other countries are failing to do within the Paris Accord, I always like to ask, would you let your kids say they’re not going to clean their rooms because the neighbors' kid doesn’t clean theirs? The U.S. is a world leader that should be leading the charge to clean up our act, not pointing fingers and blaming others as an excuse to not deal with our own mess.

What can voters do on a local level to effect change when it comes to the climate crisis?

Take the time to get educated. Just like you do research on a new job interview, or when you’re looking for schools for your kids, do your research on who you intend to vote for. Call them and let them know you care about this issue. We as a society need to become more civically engaged. We also need to talk to each other more and find common ground on this issue.