5 Ways Southern Maryland is Going Green

If you’re a Southern Maryland resident, you know how beautiful it is down here — from the coastal areas to wetlands to forests.  Protecting these areas is part of the Sierra Club’s mission, and here’s what we’ve been up to lately.

  1. Leaving Coal in the Dust

Moving away from coal and onto cleaner, more renewable energy sources is crucial for clean air and halting climate change.  A 50-year-old coal plant in Charles County has promised to stop burning by 2027.  You can learn more about coal in Maryland here.

  1. Watching Our Waste

Maryland has recently banned foam food containers.  Single-use materials like foam and plastic tend to end up in the bay, harming our wildlife.  If we want to keep our bay clean, we need to keep our trash away.  Learn more about Sierra Club’s zero waste initiatives here.

  1. The World is Our Oyster

The oyster is our bay’s natural filtration system.  That’s why oyster restoration has been so successful in improving the health of the Chesapeake bay.   With plenty of oysters, a diverse group of species can call the bay their home.

  1. Reining in our Runoff

Oysters can’t do all the work.  For clean streams, rivers, bays, and oceans, we need laws that stop the dumping of harmful chemicals.  Learn more about Maryland’s runoff and water pollution laws here.

  1. Giving People a Reason to Care

We think it’s crucial to help folks see the environment just like we do: as a place that is beautiful, full of wonder, and worthy of our protection.  Come explore the events and activities in your county — or your own backyard!  

If you’re feeling inspired, reach out to us!  Help us take action to support these initiatives and more.