Climate Recovery Partnership News and Events

Foundation Goes Four for Four

 

For the fourth year in a row, the Sierra Club Foundation (TSCF) has earned the highest possible rating—four stars—from Charity Navigator. Not only that, TSCF now ranks fifth among the 226 environmental groups focused on conservation and protection.

This year, the watchdog group revamped its rating system to also assess the accountability and transparency of organizations. As a result, TSCF’s ranking improved even more!

Founded in 2001, Charity Navigator, assesses the financial health of over 5,000 of America’s best charities. To read more about the new rating system on The Chronicle of Philanthropy website, click here.

 

Community’s Well-being Greatly Improved by Sierra Club Water Sentinel

Tired of the stench, dirty water, and negative health effects in her Michigan farming community, Sierra Club Water Sentinel Lynn Henning took action. On the receiving end of Lynn’s activism? Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), proliferating in Lynn’s town, that had been polluting the surrounding environment through unsound waste disposal practices. The CAFOs generated feces, urine, decaying carcasses, hormones, pesticides, and blood that eventually ended up in local, public waterways. Lynn gathered thousands of water samples and reported the horrifying results to state regulators. Despite experiencing intimidation practices like a blown up mailbox, Lynn remained undeterred and more determined to bring the CAFOs to justice.

As a result of her efforts, in October, Vreba-Hoff Dairy, a mega-dairy cartel in Lynn’s community, went into a $55 million foreclosure, got nailed by the State of Michigan for $580,000 lien for unpaid environmental fines, and decided to shut down 16 mega-dairies. For her hard work, Lynn was awarded the 2010 Goldman Environmental Prize for North America, giving her the opportunity to meet President Obama. Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine also named Lynn in its 2010 Power List.

(Photo: Lynn Henning meets President Obama on behalf of her Goldman Prize; Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Young Club Leader Honored for Efforts in Puerto Rico

Inspired by her father’s wish for a legacy of environmental activism, Ana Elisa Peréz began her conservation work at an early age. Today she’s a Sierra Club campaign leader in the fight to protect Puerto Rico’s Northeast Ecological Corridor and the 2010 recipient of the Brower Youth Award. The Corridor -- over 3,000 acres of critical habitat for more than 900 species, including the world’s rarest sea turtle -- is highly sought after by the resort industry. In 2005, Ana Elisa’s efforts, supported by the Club, resulted in an executive order from the Governor to protect the Corridor from development. Unfortunately, the new Governor repealed the order and the Corridor is again at risk. But Ana Elisa and the Club aren’t waiting for the government to save this ecosystem. By implementing education programs and supporting research stations as well as local recreation, we are strengthening the connection of the community to the Corridor. As a result, citizens will come to value this area too much to allow it to be lost to development. (Photo: Ana Elisa Peréz, second from right, at the annual turtle festival in Luquillo.)

Water Quality Protected in Central California

A decades long battle was won by our Santa Lucia Chapter, local Surfrider Foundation Chapter, and community activists when the California Coastal Commission approved a much improved wastewater treatment plant for Los Osos, California. Located on the Central Coast, this area has been plagued with sewer controversy since the 1980s. The improvements to the original proposal that we helped to force will greatly increase water conservation efforts and improve the quality of treated water from the plant.

Specifically, Sierra Club and our environmental allies pushed for the location of the treatment plant to be away from the Morro Bay National Estuary (pictured), a higher level of sewage treatment, aggressive water conservation measures and agricultural reuse of treated effluent to curb seawater intrusion into the imperiled aquifer, sealed pipes, and the creation of ‘green streets.’ (Photo courtesy of "Mike" Michael L. Baird, flickr.bairdphotos.com)

Long Island Water Sentinels Help Pass Tough New Phosphorus Regulations

With 35 to 50 percent of phosphorus pollution in New York coming from fertilizers and detergents, our Long Island Water Sentinels knew they had to take action.  The Sentinels gathered water-quality data for public education purposes that showed alarming phosphorus levels. Seeing these results prompted Assemblyman Bob Sweeney and Senator Antoine Thompson to introduce a new bill calling for stricter phosphorus standards for water. Our Atlantic Chapter volunteers championed and helped to pass the bill. The new phosphorus law severely reduces the amounts of phosphorous found in household cleansers, dishwashing detergents, and cleansing products to less than one percent. New York becomes the 17th state to clamp down on phosphorus pollution, which impairs drinking water quality and creates dead ocean zones from eutrophication or excessive, unbalanced nutrient build-up. To read more, visit Sierra Club's Grassroots Scrapbook article. (Photo: Water Sentinels volunteer leader Linda Freilich with Assemblyman Sweeney.)

Coal Ash: 130 Million Tons of Toxic Waste

Arsenic, lead, mercury and other toxic chemicals are all found in coal ash, so why is the byproduct of coal combustion used to build golf courses and dumped near the homes of American citizens? 60 Minutes uncovers the controversy behind coal ash disposal.

If the video below does not display properly, click here to view it on the 60 Minutues website.

Public Screening in Virginia for "Coal Country," a Sierra Club Production

What: Join Appalachian Voices for a $5 screening of Sierra Club production "Coal Country," a dramatic documentary about Appalachia's citizen's struggle with coal. A public reception after the screening will include appearances by Director Mari-Lynn Evans and activists from the movie in addition to special entertainment.

When: Thursday, August 12th; doors open at 7pm, screening starts at 7:30pm, public reception follows

Where: Jefferson Theater, 110 E Main Street, Charlottesville, VA

For more information, go to http://jeffersontheater.com/calendar/coal-county-screening

Persistence Leads to Better Sewage Systems in Hawaii

After six tough years, Sierra Club settled a lawsuit requiring Honolulu City and County to improve their wastewater delivery system and upgrade to secondary treatment. Prior to our suing, the tropical land saw an average of 150 sewage spills per year. This victory will lead to fewer spills and better water treatment, making Honolulu a healthier place for all its inhabitants.

Local Efforts Stop Planned Biomass Plant in Indiana

A new biomass-to-energy plant proposal in Indiana has been withdrawn thanks to grassroots organizing and Sierra Club efforts. We supported the local opposition by pressuring the state environmental agency to scrutinize proposed water discharge, delaying the project as a result. Eventually, the company proposing the plant revoked its plan because local opposition became too strong. Now, the groundwater quality that was threatened will remain high, and a nearby river, designated as an 'Outstanding State Resource,' will be spared from pollution.