Sara Schultz
I have been active with Sierra Club since 2009 when I learned that the most important thing you can do for the environment is to engage with other activists. Together, with many volunteers, I have worked on the NYS Fracking Ban, getting solar panels on the Buffalo Public Schools, collaborating with the NFTA to transition to Battery Electric Buses (BEBs), supporting properly sited renewable energy projects, and endorsing political candidates that will build a cleaner economy for the future. Presently I am very active educating on the electrification transition for New York State. I am also engaged in work to transition the City of Buffalo's fleet to zero emission vehicles.
There are many roles I played as Chair of the Niagara Group for 5 years. I interfaced with the public as well as the media to promote the values and goals of both our local group as well as our state and national organizations. That includes testifying at public hearings, sending comments to entities that control our future energy structure and managing the administrative tasks that keep us a well oiled, high functioning group. As Vice-Chair I work alongside our Chair as both a guide and an active Ex. Comm. member.
Since 2009 I have spent many weekends tabling at events and sharing information to promote sustainability, educate the public about nuclear waste, pipeline infrastructure, renewable energy and more. As we move forward my goal is to engage more youth with our group as well as with the groups that I serve as liaison to such as United Solar Energy Supporters of WNY and the WNY Interfaith Climate Justice Community.
I also serve on two committees for the Town of Amherst. We worked on getting multiple grants from NYSERDA to reduce our GHG emissions, move toward EVs, install EV chargers and promote solar throughout the town. The town is now transitioning our street lights to LEDS which will be a huge saving and reduce our electricity needs. Recently I have been working with the NY Reform Action Center to guide our Jewish institutions toward greater sustainability and political activism.
Personally, I try to live with a small carbon footprint. We have an almost net-zero home, 100% EV and plant based diets. My husband and I got into bird watching last spring. This really heightens our love of the natural world and all there is to experience. Now it's up to us to pass this passion on to our grandchildren and I enjoy every minute of the task!
Richard Lippes
Current and prior Sierra Club positions/roles:
Niagara Group, (member of Executive Committee since 1971; Chairperson 1979,1999)
Atlantic Chapter(NYS) (member of Atlantic ExCom, Chairperson 1979-1983, 1999-2004)
National Hazardous Material Committee (Founder and first chairperson 1981-1983)
Northeast Regional Conservation Committee, Vice Chairperson
Legal Committee Chair and New York State Sierra Club General Counsel (1971-2023)
My concern for climate change grows year by year, and it is the first environmental threat that could truly doom the planet. The Sierra Club has been at the forefront of advocating for effective carbon and fossil fuel reduction. As a lawyer I have devoted my practice to representing environmental organizations and neighborhoods from environmental threats, and it is gratifying that a winning decision from the courts will have a real positive effect on the environment. As a member of the Sierra Club Niagara Group, I have also worked to save our forests, parks and to assure a clean and healthy environment. As a member of the Executive Committee, I will continue to fight for these and other environmental causes. rlippes@lippeslaw.com