May 13, 2013
By James Turner, Missouri Chapter Chair
Does our environmental work amount to anything? 2012 can renew our faith!
Our individual efforts helped to swell a popular vote victory for Obama, and to maintain a U.S. Senate majority that’s not obsessed with undoing our past work. Organized work by Missouri Chapter and Group Political Committees helped to elect legislators capable of hearing our messages and rallying to protect the environment; we will expand such work in coming years.
Our steady pressure helped to induce Ameren’s plan to invest $150 million in energy efficiency – the biggest utility EE program ever launched in Missouri.
Polls and electoral results show solid majorities wanting to protect our air, water, and climate from fossil fuel based industries that would reduce the Earth to a drainpipe. Sierra Club’s ongoing task is to build a conservation culture that the politicians cannot ignore. Like the Club nationwide, our Chapter’s volunteer leaders look to build a robust progressive movement that can reduce the political dominance of short-term-obsessed business interests.Immediate regulatory and legislative efforts remain important. Missouri Chapter hired an additional organizer in November to advance our advocacy for energy efficiency standards in building codes. And our volunteers and staff are continuing energetic work as part of the Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign!