Student Spotlight: For this campaigner, the path to climate policy is personal – the state of the earth
Saira Ramirez’s vocabulary has vivid memories of visiting the home of her Mexican grandparents. “I was surrounded by plants, animals and the birds, which was magical. I felt relaxed and natural, loved and safe.” Ramirez Mingueta, the second-largest child of six, was a child when her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, but that early period of deep connections with nature, family and community had informed her of the current climate policy path.
Ramirez Mingueta is the current MA candidate, David C. Lizarraga Fellow at Columbia Climate School. We talked to her about what led to her going to New York City and where she was going next.
What inspired your interest in advocating communities and environments?
I came from a Mexican immigrant family and when I was in the role of leader and translator, I was young to help my family navigate multiple complex systems in this country, such as education, public transportation, health care. I grew up in East Los Angeles, where the neighborhoods are low income, lack green space, surrounded by food deserts, and pollution is through the roof. The fact that they are greatly affected by several climate hazards makes me angry and frustrated.
Going to college is a goal – how do you achieve it?
My journey is an unconventional one, shaped by ambition, necessity, responsibility and losses. I started with Mt. San Antonio College at Community College and received my English degree in 2019 when I was working full time. I then transferred to Chapman University and received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing in 2021.
After graduation, I found a technical job in sales and was able to gain my own position to help my family and build some financial freedom. However, I lacked a community, so I applied to the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) for the Creation Pathway to Success (CAPS) program. This program connects me with other young Latinx and provides me with professional development to start my own digital strategy and media business.
My collaboration with CHCC linked me with the California Climate Action Corps (CCAC), where I worked with the Office of Sustainability at the University of California Riverside University to establish projects on campus for Zero Waste Programs.
But what really touched me was hearing older, non-English speaking immigrants share stories about children with asthma or lung cancer and say how difficult it is to get medical care in low-income and immigrant communities. It was a full round moment because my mom was recovering from breast cancer at the time. I was like, wow, that’s what our community is fighting against – they’re actually poisoned.
I want to continue learning about the playback system so that changes can be created. I applied for the team leader position for CCAC and Columbia Climate School Program.
How did you experience in Colombia?
It took me some time to get used to a new city, but I ended up finding my own path and a strong group of women. In class, talking about climate hazards in a very theoretical way, it’s hard for me to not have flashbacks or feel emotional weight when we talk about people dying due to the environment. I gained support and connected with Natalie A. Unwin-Kureneri, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Sarah Newman, Founder and Executive Director of the Campus Resources and Climate Mental Health Network. As a result, I worked with friends to start a student-led support group around mental health and climate work. We have two activities and create space for students to come to art, talk about our experiences and build communities.
You have made a great connection with your colleagues. What about the professor?
Javier Lopez, Kristina Douglass, Thomas Chandler and Joshua L. Devincenzo are all incredible mentors and friends. Professor Douglas teaches comprehensive justice-centered research in the environment and climate. That should be the core course. It’s so verified to see another woman of color do this work in this field. A conversation with Professor Douglas helped me understand that my mom’s cancer and the barriers I faced were not just one person’s experience—it happened nationally and globally.
You will complete your degree in September. What’s next?
Despite several exciting Capstone project options, I finally decided to focus on the opportunity of the New York City Health Department, where I will work at the intersection of climate justice, public health, and policy. I hope to build on this experience and eventually return to California and work with local and state agencies to advance the climate justice initiative.
It’s a bittersweet year for you. In all your successes, your mother passed away. What legacy do you carry with you?
My mom wants me to realize my dream, and she sacrificed her life to create a better future for me. I carry her legacy with me and I want to make my mom proud. Being the first generation means I have to walk this path as I walk, and I have to take a path not only for myself, but for my community and for my grandchildren.
