RENO, NEVADA — On Friday, August 20, the Nevada Conservation League partnered with local artist Jenie Villanueva in a community art activation calling for strong climate action that means the demands of science and justice. The chalk piece placed in City Plaza park in Reno — one of the fastest-warming cities in the country — connects the city’s urgent need to address the unhealthy air quality as the result of out-of-control wildfires in the state with the stories of the people and the communities who are impacted by the climate crisis.
“Rising temperatures, deadly wildfires, and toxic air pollution continue to threaten communities across Nevada. The climate crisis is here, and the moment to act is now,” said Nevada Conservation League Policy and Advocacy Director Christi Cabrerea. “We were proud to team up with Reno artist Jenie Villanueva to help deliver a strong message to Congress to meet this climate emergency with impactful investments in climate, clean energy and high-quality union jobs. The federal bipartisan infrastructure package and reconciliation bill is a historic opportunity to rebuild our communities and secure a better climate future for our generation and those after us. We hope that Congress will deliver.”
“Wildfires should not be a season. Every year communities throughout Nevada and the West are literally catching on fire, forcing people to evacuate their homes or experience effects that may be detrimental to their health. This is the effect of the current climate crisis and the consequences are severe and inescapable. It is real and it is happening right now,” said artist Jenie Villanueva. “I am glad I could work with environmental leaders in Nevada to create a piece that will amplify this message to our decision-makers on the severe threat of the climate crisis and urge them to make important investments that can change the trajectory for our climate future and the future of our communities. The time to act is now.”
The art activation comes while record-breaking temperatures, out-of-control wildfires, and historic droughts are sweeping through Nevada and the West. The piece is another way Nevadans are coming together to call for bold climate infrastructure investments that deliver clean energy, jobs, and justice.
Leaders are continuing to emphasize the growing threat climate change is posing on our communities. During 25th annual Lake Tahoe Summit last week, policymakers and community leaders met to collaboratively address environmental challenges of the Basin and discuss a plan of action for the future.
Photo and video of the art activation can be downloaded here