Newsletter- January 2021 update from Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter
February 1, 2021
Happy new year from the Hoosier Chapter
Hi Supporter,
Happy new year, fellow Hoosiers!
We hope your 2021 is off to a great start. We’re excited about the year ahead and all that it means for our chapter, Indiana, and beyond.
While all Sierra Club in-person activities are still currently on hold due to the pandemic, we hope to have lots of exciting opportunities for you this year- from volunteering, to virtual events, and actions you can take to help our environment here in Indiana. And, hopefully later in the year, we will be able to have hikes and in-person meetings too.
If you'd like to find out more about volunteering in our state, we invite you to join a virtual community conversation on Wednesday, Feb 3 at 7pm EST. Go here to register on Zoom. If you can't make this event, don't worry! We're going to have lots more opportunities to get involved soon.
We have three local actions we invite you to take today- to protect the Ohio River, save our Indiana wetlands, and to oppose the gas power grab.
Also in this newsletter- the results of our recent Hoosier Chapter and Winding Waters Group executive committee elections, information about a youth-led climate campaign here in Indiana, and our regular recommendations feature.
Happy reading!
Hoosier Chapter & Winding Waters Group election results
Hoosier Chapter:
Please join us in congratulating Steve Aaholm, Shannon Anderson, Marylin Bauchat, Jason Flickner, and Linze Southwick for being re-elected to the Hoosier Chapter 2021 Executive Committee (EXCOM). Each of them brings their own unique styles and skill sets together to lead the Chapter in its efforts to make Indiana a better place to live. Their dedication and activism are much appreciated. Throughout the year, the EXCOM members put in many uncompensated hours to protect and improve our water, air, land, and wildlife. They also strive to make sure that all Indiana residents are well represented to achieve these goals. Wish them well.
- Richard Hill, Sierra Club Hoosier Chapter elections chair.
Winding Waters Group:
I take great pleasure in announcing the results of the Sierra Club Winding Waters Group 2021-2022 election. The members will serve a 2 year term to the executive committee.
Joe Bronnert is elected to the ex-com for his second term. He is the mover and groover of the Outdoors Committee. New executive committee member, Mary-Beth Wert is a welcome addition with her savvy intelligence and calm demeanor. And we are very excited regarding Eric Riddle who received several “write-in” votes on the ballot.
- Rebecca Lorenz, Winding Waters Group Nomination and Election Committee Chair.
Actions you can take now!
Join us in petitioning the U.S. EPA to create numeric nutrient standards for the Ohio River
The Ohio River provides drinking water for over 5 million people and has been affected by toxic algae blooms. The EPA has failed at protecting the Ohio River and the people that rely on it for basic human needs. Take action and sign this petition demanding the U.S. EPA set a numeric standard limiting excess nitrogen and phosphorus from entering the Ohio River!
From our Indiana Beyond Coal team - Tell your legislators: No gas power grab!
A bill that takes away the ability of local governments to make decisions about what kind of energy sources best serve their communities is moving quickly through the Indiana House of Representatives. House Bill 1191, the Gas Power Grab, preempts local control by banning local governments from prohibiting gas hookups for new construction and inhibits universities sustainability projects. HB 1191 fails to allow our local governments the ability to pursue policies that protect our health and will prevent local governments and universities from achieving their climate goals.
THE STATE OF INDIANA HAS FAILED TO ACT ON CLIMATE. But local governments are creating local solutions. The state needs to lead on climate action or get out of the way.
Confront the Climate Crisis - A message from youth-led climate action in Indiana
"The Confront the Climate Crisis campaign is a statewide campaign aimed at engaging organizations and student-led action groups across the state in statewide climate action. By bringing youth to the forefront, we know that we can create the change that we need to see and take the next step in protecting our future.
We have the power to confront the climate crisis - and that is what we will do."
Reader recommends- Michelle Carr on A Day in the Life of America.
Several weeks before July 4th of 2017, Jared Leto began this project to capture a 24 hour snapshot of our country. People from all over the country, including myself, sent in our captures of the day. With so many hurting and our country clearly so divided, that Fourth was a very difficult one for me as well as many others. I was incredibly grateful to have a project to work on that I felt gave me something positive to look for when the world around us felt so different. It tells a story of our country divided and the hope that remains for our future.
