No More Doom and Gloom

By Paul Rauber

August 7, 2015

Sierra readers shared their opinions in the 2015 survey.

Photo by Lori Eanes

Sierra readers are never shy about pointing out our errors, both real and perceived, and it's a rare issue that does not provoke half a dozen to cancel their Sierra Club membership. Even though we know that letter writers incline more toward complaint than praise, we still sometimes wonder, are we doing it right?

Apparently yes. Nearly 9 in 10 respondents to our 2015 reader survey, which was advertised in the March/April issue, said that Sierra strengthens their relationship to the Club and that its content is "meant for someone like me." Two-thirds read every issue, many of them quite thoroughly. Eighty percent are likely to recommend the magazine to a family member or friend. Readers' favorite features: short news items in Up to Speed, technological solutions in Innovate, and reviews of ecofriendly products. Their least favorite: this editor's note (ouch!), "doom and gloom," and "depressing news without solutions."

Readers, we hear you! That's why our redesign features "What You Can Do" suggestions whenever possible. After all, with activist readers like ours, there is no "depressing news without solutions." That's because you are the solution.