At the Self Reliance Foundation, we believe that it is everyone's task – from private individuals to communities, corporations and governments – to behave as responsible stewards of our planet. Some of our earliest projects focused on such issues as home weatherization, low-technology solar energy techniques, and eco-friendly farming: ways that families and small communities in rural New Mexico could help preserve their lands and live in closer harmony with nature. In recent years, we have also conducted larger national projects partnering with public and private organizations to raise awareness of problems such as pesticide and radon poisoning, to showcase successful examples of wildlife and wild lands management, and to link audiences to environmental advocacy organizations within their own communities.

Environmental programming serves a great purpose for both urban and rural Hispanic communities, both raising awareness about environmental issues and improving lives through environmental resources. Research shows that Latinos are typically more sensitive to environmental issues than their white counterparts, often because they live in communities more impacted by environmental hazards and negative effects. Below are a few examples of environmental programs the Self Reliance Foundation has conducted:

Department of Energy

Funded by the Department of Energy, this campaign uses the power of radio capsules to increase awareness about energy efficiency, encouraging Hispanic families to make more energy-efficient choices in their homes, and informing Hispanic youth of career opportunities related to science and environmental conservation. Topics for the radio segments
include: “science in our everyday life,” “the science of fútbol (soccer),” “environmental hazards,” and “educational opportunities,” moving Hispanic youth towards science and math careers.

Pulso del Planeta

Building off the acclaimed radio series, Pulse of the Planet, Pulso del Planeta programs provide entertaining and educational information about nature, traditional culture, and science.  Using a wealth of scientific resources, the series raises awareness of the environment and human's relationship to it.  Created specifically for Latino audiences, Pulso's programming features Latino

scientists, addresses issues of concern to the Hispanic community, and provides role models that will encourage listeners to think about educational and occupational opportunities in science for themselves and for their families.  Narrated by Carlos Manuel Tarango, news anchor from Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, each program blends interviews with on-location, natural sound- the signature audio elements of the original Pulse of the Planet series.

Click here to listen to Spanish-language environmental radio capsules.