Updated COVID-19 guidance: Keep up to date with the most recent Sierra Club guidance by checking this document monitoring indoor & outdoor events and activities. Sierra Club is reinstating its mask mandate for all indoor activities regardless of vaccination status. Masking at outdoor events is strongly encouraged, and is required for unvaccinated individuals. Sierra Club strongly recommends all eligible staff & volunteers get vaccinated as quickly as possible as the best defense against COVID-19.
Tennessee News
UPDATE: Fall Retreat canceled. The Tennessee Chapter Fall retreat has been cancelled, which had been planned for the end of October at Booker T. Washington State Park. With the worsening COVID-19 pandemic, the Sierra Club cannot allow overnight activities and indoor activities with more than 25 people. We are hoping that we will finally be able to get together in the spring of 2022 to have fun, celebrate our progress, and build relationships for our future work!
City Council makes it more difficult to build pipelines near water wellheads. "Memphis City Council members gave final approval Tuesday, Sept. 21, to a water wellhead protection overlay that makes it more difficult to locate pipelines and other infrastructure near water wellhead areas covering about 25% of the city. But the council later delayed final votes on two other ordinances designed to specifically target crude oil pipelines." Read more by Bill Dries - Daily Memphian - Sept. 21, 2021.
Emails, docs show TVA's ties to fight against federal regs. "In “no instances,” Jeff Lyash assured members of Congress two years ago, had the federal power giant given a utility industry trade group the go-ahead to represent it in court challenges to stricter air pollution regulations. But recently disclosed records suggest a lot of gray area on that point — ambiguity that’s now sowing questions about the sincerity of the agency’s professed commitment to more use of renewable energy sources." By Scott Reilly - E&E News - Sept. 13, 2021.
Tennessee lawmaker says Virginia needs to do more to fix Bristol landfill’s malodorous emissions. "Not satisfied with how Virginia officials are handling the complaints, a Tennessee state senator wants his state agencies to investigate a Bristol, Virginia, landfill linked to air pollution and foul odors plaguing residents on both sides of the border. “In addition to the landfill causing odor nuisance issues, I believe it presents a health and safety concern for Tennesseans,” state Sen. Jon Lundberg, R-Bristol, wrote in a letter addressed to the Tennessee Department of Health." Read more by Sarah Wade - Tennessee Lookout - Sept. 24, 2021.
Bredesen company brings renewable energy to small companies. "Following a groundbreaking ceremony held earlier in September, solar startup Clearloop is set to bring economic and workforce development to Jackson, TN. The new project, co-founded by former governor Phil Bredesen, offers companies the chance to invest in renewable energy and offset their carbon footprint. Because there’s no minimum investment, Clearloop gives smaller companies and individuals a way to participate in greening the electrical grid." Read more by Abby Lee Hood - Tennessee Lookout - Sept. 16, 2021.
Bald River Falls in the Cherokee National Forest. Harvey Broome Group is hosting an overnight backpacking trip in the Bald River Gorge on Oct. 2-3rd (see Events section below). Photo: John Getchel Photography, CC BY-NC 2.0.
Environmental Updates
Take Action! Let's get a historic climate bill passed! Thanks to months of organizing and advocacy, we now have a fighting chance to get once-in-a-generation climate action across the finish line. But the margin for error is small and we need as many Congress members as possible to support this. Even if you've already reached out, please do so again: Send a message to Congress here!
Tennessee streams will play important role in flood recovery. "In Tennessee, one battle against flooding could take place in the little waterways branching through the state’s rural communities. Floodplain and stream restoration have long been considered among the most important efforts to reduce flood impacts. But with limited regulation and oversight, these areas are often unprotected." Read more by Caroline Eggers - WPLN - Sept. 24, 2021.
Loop hopes to go mainstream with reusable packaging. "Reusable packaging, from stainless steel ice cream containers to glass jars of soap, is about to become more common at groceries and restaurants worldwide. Loop, a two-year-old company that collects and sanitizes reusable containers, said Wednesday it’s expanding after successful trials at groceries in France and Japan. Grocery stores will have a special Loop area, where manufacturers from independent brands to big players like Nestle have packaged pantry items, household cleaners and other products in reusable containers." Read more by Dee-Ann Durbin - AP News - Sept. 22, 2021.
Care NET organizes Holston River exhibit. The Sierra Club Care NET group is sponsoring a traveling exhibit entitled "Tennessee Waters" produced by Humanities Tennessee, the Tennessee Historical Society, and the Gore Research Center. In conjunction with this exhibit, Care NET has produced an exhibit entitled "The Holston: It's Your River, Hawkins County" with funding from Humanities Tennessee. In September, the exhibit was on display at the Surgoinsville Library, then the Tennessee Printing Museum. It will be displayed Oct. 1- 15th at the Church Hill Library, after which it will be permanently displayed at the Surgoinsville Area Museum.
Service proposes removing storied Snail Darter from Endangered Species Act due to recovery. "There was a time when the snail darter was the biggest little fish in the United States. In the 1970s, the tiny, endangered Tennessee fish was in the news regularly, the subject of a Supreme Court ruling, an act of Congress, and a giant proposed dam that threatened it with extinction." As a result of 40 years of conservation work inspired by Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections, the snail darter is no longer facing extinction. Read the US Fish and Wildlife Service's press release here.
When the snail darter was listed as an endangered species in 1975, its only known spawning habitat was the Little Tennessee River. As a result of conservation efforts, it has recently been deemed as no longer endangered! Photo: Department of Justice.
Health & Justice
Systemic change is necessary to provide all Memphians with clean air and water | Opinion. "The right to clean air and water should have nothing to do with luck — or your ZIP code, skin color, or family’s wealth... The cancer rate in southwest Memphis is four times the national average — a result of industrial benzene and formaldehyde pollution in our air and arsenic in our water. My grandmothers, who made it possible for my family to escape environmental racism, lost their own lives to it." Read more byJustin J. Pearson, Guest Columnist - Commercial Appeal - Sept. 8, 2021.
Social Vulnerability Report: A new EPA report finds that the most severe harms of climate change fall disproportionately on socially vulnerable populations. "Climate change affects all Americans—regardless of socioeconomic status—and many impacts are projected to worsen. But individuals will not equally experience these changes. This report improves our understanding of the degree to which four socially vulnerable populations— defined based on income, educational attainment, race and ethnicity, and age—may be more exposed to the highest impacts of climate change." Read the report here.
An Invitation to Save the Planet by Ending White Supremacy. "A racist system that values some lives over others creates the sacrifice zones that fuel climate chaos. Only by ending that system can we create a new economy that prioritizes the health of all over the wealth of a few, an economy that doesn't depend on destroying the ecosystems that humans and wildlife need to survive." Read more by Hop Hopkins - Sierra Magazine - Sept. 18, 2021.
Rural America deserves better. Transportation for America and Third Way have been studying why and how transportation in rural areas should be improved."Rural Americans need and deserve reliable and convenient transportation options, but current policies are failing them. Today we’re [Transportation for America] releasing six recommendations to help the administration make things right, combined with stories of success from rural America showing a better approach." Read more about transportation access in rural areas.
World faces growing risk of food shortages due to climate change. "Yields of staple crops could decline by almost a third by 2050 unless emissions are drastically reduced in the next decade, while farmers will need to grow nearly 50%... Major crops from wheat to soy and rice 'are likely to see big yield declines' due to drought, and shorter growing periods, [lead author Daniel] Quiggin said. Severe climate impacts will be “locked in” by 2040 if countries do not reduce emissions, according to the report." Read more by Aine Quinn - Bloomberg Green - Sept. 13, 2021.
Demonstrators sang and marched outside TVA's Knoxville headquarters on August 18, 2021. The 'Take Back TVA Rally' called on TVA to host virtual listening sessions for the public. Jerry Thornton, Sierra Club HBG, is pictured front right. Read article here by Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. Photo credit: Todd Waterman.
Kingston Coal Ash Workers Honored in Knoxville
By Todd Waterman, Harvey Broome Group
The Kingston Coal Ash Workers Legacy Flag, which was flown over the U.S. Capitol on July 29, was presented in Knoxville on Monday, September 13 to Kingston cleanup worker Ansol Clark's widow Janie. Tennessee 2nd District Representative Tim Burchett made the presentation at the East Tennessee Veterans' Cemetery Pavilion.
Rep. Burchett remarked: "On Monday, I presented Kingston Coal Ash workers with a flag that was flown in honor of their legacy. Many of the workers who cleaned up the disastrous 2008 coal ash spill still face devastating health effects. It was an honor to recognize these folks."
"Monday was perfect," Janie Clark said. "This was a long awaited dream that came true for me. I am just saddened Ansol was not physically present and by my side, although I know he was there in spirit."
"At the time and place of God's choosing, the workers' flag will be given to Jamie Satterfield in enormous gratitude for the extraordinary sacrifice she has made in seeking justice on our behalf."
Coal ash widows Janie Clark, left, and Johnnie Bledsoe, right, and coal ash orphan Jessica Waller pose in solidarity with the flag flown over the Capitol in honor of Kingston cleanup workers, as the flag behind them flies at half-mast. Photo courtesy of Janie Clark.
Events
Listed in order of occurrence:
CANCELED: Tennessee Chapter Fall Retreat. Unfortunately, the Sierra Club retreat that was scheduled for Oct. 29-21 at Booker T. Washington State Park has been canceled due to high COVID-19 numbers in Tennessee.
Bald River Gorge Wilderness Backpack. The Harvey Broome Group is hosting an overnight backpacking trip Oct. 2-3rd in the Bald River Gorge, near Tellico Plains, TN. The most outstanding feature of the Gorge is the Bald River as it cascades and flows through the steep sided valley. A 5.6-mile trail follows the river through the gorge, and we will hike a portion of that trail to one of many campsites along the river. Backpacking hiking mileage from the trailhead to camp is around 2.5 miles and the backpack is rated Easy. Pre-register with Will Skelton: H 523-2272/ C 742-2327/ whshome@bellsouth.net.
Town Hall meeting with TWRA. The town hall is an opportunity to voice objections to TWRA's plans to clear-cut hardwood trees in areas of the Bridgestone-Firestone Centennial Wilderness to create a quail habitat. The meeting is scheduled Monday Oct. 4 at 6:00 pm Central at the Sparta Civic Center on Bockman Way, Sparta TN. There is already a 3000 acre quail habitat nearby, managed by TWRA at Mooneyham in VanBuren County. Learn more here.
Mini Rangers Camp. For ages 3-4, this camp is a great stepping stone into school and camp environments from 9:00-11:30 AM at Barfield Crescent Park's Wilderness Station (401 Volunteer Road, Murfreesboro, TN). Includes fall crafts, story time, songs and more. Registration is required by calling 615-217-3017 or email hmeyer@murfreesborotn.gov.
Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo. The seventh annual Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo (STF&E) will be held on Oct. 20-21, 2021 at the Nashville Public Library. The forum will highlight new research and technologies that improve transportation efficiency, reduce vehicle emissions, and address the mobility needs of all Tennesseans. Discounted rate available if you register by Oct. 4th. Register here.
Memphis Mushroom Festival. This four-day festival will be held Oct. 21-24th.Learn more here.
Tennessee Environmental Conference. This year's primary theme is water. There will be updates from regulatory leaders focusing on air, land, and water, along with supporting presentations on a variety of topics. The event will include networking breakfasts, receptions, and an overall educational, interactive, and fun community experience. Event held Monday Oct. 25- Wed. Oct. 27 at Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport, TN. Register here.
Concerned Philosophers for Peace 2021 Conference. Hosted by Pellissippi State Community College and Notre Dame University, this year's conference theme is Fragile Lands, Power Politics: Effects of Violence and Injustice on People, Politics, and the Environment. Topics will cover the violence and injustice that make our world fragile and leave people, the environment, and non-humans vulnerable. The event will be held Oct. 29-30th.Find out more here.
Young Voices for the Planet. HBG recently hosted a presentation by Young Voices for the Planet (YVFP), whose mission is to limit the damaging effects of climate change by empowering youth to take an essential role in informing themselves, their peers and their communities—becoming leaders and changing laws, changing minds and changing the world. Check out their resources and award-winning short documentaries here.
Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15 - Oct. 15th. The month is a chance to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Learn more here.
Special Features
Species Spotlight
This month's featured plant is: Pumpkin (cucurbitaceae family)
Some varieties of pumpkins are better for eating, and others better for carving. A few are good for both. Pumpkins like lots of sun and space to spread out while growing their vines. You can grow pumpkins from saved pumpkin seeds, and the best time to plant those is in early summer. They take 90-120 days to reach full maturity. Photo credit: Sustainable Food Center.
Pumpkins are one of the first crops grown for human consumption, with archaeological evidence showing their use up to 9,000 years ago (7,000 - 5,500 BC) in Mexico. Pumpkins are in the gourd family, along with cucumbers, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, and zucchini.
The tradition of carving pumpkins, or jack-o-lanterns, began in Ireland hundreds of years ago. But originally, jack-o-lanterns were carved out of turnips or potatoes. It wasn’t until Irish immigrants arrived in America that they discovered the pumpkin as a great vessel for lanterns.
The heaviest pumpkin ever grown was in Belgium in 2016, weighing in at 2,624 pounds. The largest pumpkin pie ever made was in Ohio in 2019, weighing 3,699 pounds and measuring over 20 feet in diameter!
The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." The French turned it into "pompon," which later the English changed to "pumpion," and finally became “pumpkin” in America. Shakespeare referred to a "pumpion" in his comedic play Merry Wives of Windsor (published in 1602).
Paperless Delivery
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We are the Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club, the world’s oldest, largest, and most influential grassroots environmental organization. With over 3.8 million members and supporters, the Sierra Club has the resources to empower people and to influence public policy through community activism, public education, lobbying, and litigation.
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