Faith Walks Toward Cleaner Air in New Mexico

A group of faith‑based activists started a 328‑mile foot journey from Carlsbad to Santa Fe, hoping to draw attention to a bill that would cut New Mexico’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45 % from 2005 levels by 2030. The trip, part of a broader coalition called Clear Horizons New Mexico, aimed to meet local communities and lobby lawmakers for the bill’s passage. Although the legislation was later defeated in the Senate, participants said the walk mattered beyond its immediate political goal. The walkers crossed New Mexico’s Permian Basin, a massive oil‑producing region that has fueled the state’s economy for decades. While passing through Carlsbad, they spoke with a retired oil worker who shared concerns about toxic chemicals released by the industry. The gas known as hydrogen sulfide, common in oil and natural‑gas flaring, can cause chronic cough, low blood pressure, and even rare blood disorders. The activists noted that the same combustion fuels climate change, worsening droughts and heat waves in a state already suffering from a long‑lasting megadrought.Pilgrimage is an age‑old tradition in many religions, and the walkers saw it as a way to spark “goodness” by walking through hard‑hit areas and praying for change. They carried written prayers from people across the state, many asking for more water, safer air and stronger environmental laws. The journey also offered moments of community—overnight stays in churches, shared meals with families, and even a Shabbat dinner hosted by local rabbis. While the walk was physically demanding—long days on dusty roads, a member’s pneumonia, and back pain—the participants reported a sense of renewal. They described feeling lighter after each stretch of the trail, and some said the fresh air helped heal their bodies. The final days brought them to Santa Fe, where they joined a Climate Solutions Day rally and met with lawmakers in the state capitol’s Roundhouse. Even though the Clear Horizons Act failed, the activists believe their pilgrimage planted seeds for future change. They argue that faith communities can bring moral depth to environmental debates, asking hard questions about humanity’s responsibility toward the planet. The experience also highlighted how many voters still favor oil and gas interests, a reality that fuels frustration among those fighting for climate justice.