PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge is spreading across Tennessee lands. The state might intervene.
"Farmers, landowners and government agencies have been using treated sewage to fertilize land in Tennessee for decades, but the practice is being increasingly scrutinized: Sewage sludge can be contaminated with toxic chemical compounds known as PFAS. The latest evidence comes from northeastern Tennessee. Earlier this year, the Sierra Club tested soil, groundwater and drinking water in Sullivan County near historic or current usage sites of sewage sludge, also called 'biosolids,' and found PFAS at each location, according to a new report."
Read more
by Caroline Eggers - WPLN - August 14, 2024.
TVA approves rate increase for fall 2024 — Here's how much more you may pay. "The TVA shared that the 5.25% base rate increase will be taking effect on October 1, 2024. This follows a 4.5% increase approved for the 2024 fiscal year that was approved in August 2023. The TVA said the average residential bill during the 2023 fiscal year was around $138, which means the average bill would cost around an additional $4.35 each month." Read more by Hope McAlee - WATE - August 22, 2024.
REI achieves remarkable feat with first-of-its-kind green warehouse — here's why it matters. "REI Co-op's newest distribution center in Tennessee is a perfect example of what the future of eco-friendly businesses could look like...With onsite solar panels and energy from a new solar farm in eastern Tennessee, the facility is powered by 100% renewable electricity. By reducing energy and water use, the company is
saving money. By extension, this can lead to benefits for consumers. Those savings can then be passed on to customers or reinvested in more sustainable initiatives." Read more by Leslie Sattler - The Cooldown - August 20, 2024.
Tennessee to look for ‘alternative’ funding after missing out on federal pollution reduction grant. "When it comes to sustainability, Tennessee has room to grow. The state consumes about four times more energy than it produces, and residents ranked eighth-highest in energy use per capita in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration." After striking out on its bid to secure funding from the federal government, the coalition led by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) "is searching for other funding sources to power the state’s first comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
Read more by Cassandra Stephenson - Tennessee Lookout - August 6, 2024.
The Tennessee Chapter invites nominations for at-large positions on its Executive Committee. Three at-large members will be elected in December to serve a two-year term each. If you are interested in running, or would like to nominate someone, please contact Tim Weeks, Nominations Committee Chair at timweekstn@gmail.com. The deadline for receiving nominations is September 20th.
Environmental Updates
ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress to pass the Every Kid Outdoors Act! Over the last 9 years, the program known as Every Kid Outdoors has helped over one million 4th grade students and their families explore national parks. lands, and waters for free. This year, Rep. Katie Porter and Rep. Diana DeGette introduced a bill in the House that would secure $25 million in permanent funding for the Every Kid Outdoors program and also extend the program to include 5th graders.Take action now!
As climate threats to agriculture mount, could the Mississippi River delta be the next California? "The World Wildlife Fund sees farms in the mid-Mississippi delta as ripe with opportunity to become a new mecca for commercial-scale American produce. California currently grows nearly three-quarters of the nation’s fruits and nuts and more than a third of its vegetables. But as climate change compounds the threats of water scarcity, extreme weather and wildfires on California’s resources, WWF’s Markets Institute is exploring what it would take for farmers in West Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas to embrace — and equitably profit from — specialty crop production like strawberries, lettuce or walnuts."
Read more by Cassandra Stephenson, Illan Ireland and Phillip Powell - Tennessee Lookout - August 19, 2024.
U.S. landfills are major sources of airborne PFAS pollution, study finds. "Landfills in the United States — one of the country’s biggest sources of pollution — have been found to contain large amounts of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) 'forever chemicals.' A recent study has found that PFAS likely make their way into the surrounding environment through gas emitted from landfills
, since treatment systems at the facilities are not equipped to destroy or manage the hazardous chemicals, reported The Guardian."
Read more by Cristen Hemingway Jaynes - EcoWatch.com - August 9, 2024.
September 4th is National Wildlife Day! More than 1,600 species are listed as endangered or threatened in the United States alone. Consider a monthly donation to the Tennessee Chapter to support the local conservation, lobbying, and advocacy work done in our neck of the woods!
South Fork at Citico Creek. HBG is hosting a free "Swim with the Fishes" event at Citico Creek on Saturday, Sept. 14th.
Register here. Photo: "South Fork Citico Creek" by
Chris M., CC BY-SA 2.0, edited.
A Rational Basis for Hope: Human Behavior and Climate Change
"The Earth has humans, so why don't our climate models?," asked applied mathematician Lou Gross (pictured below), HBG's August Program presenter, and his colleagues. Shouldn't worrisome climate modeling projections take into account how human behavior might change in response to concern for the future of our planet? They considered how adding those feedbacks might reduce emissions, and thus reduce the models' projected warming. They guessed correctly as the models imply that you and I make a significant difference – perhaps especially when, through the Sierra Club, we can tie extreme weather events to climate change, and we advocate together for cumulative, infrastructural climate mitigation.
Health & Justice
Nuclear-Free Film series. The Sierra Club has long-opposed nuclear power for many reasons: environmental, health, high costs, social justice, safety, and nuclear weapons proliferation. The radioactive waste created by nuclear power is a pernicious, mutagenic, toxic legacy for many thousands of generations. The Sierra Club Grassroots Network Nuclear Free Team concludes its first Nuclear-free Film Series with the powerful independent film, ATOMIC BAMBOOZLE: THE FALSE PROMISE OF A NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE. Register on Eventive to view the 46-minute film for free, now through Monday,
September 30th. The screenings include a webinar on September 30th, 7-9 pm CST, moderated by Mike Carberry, Co-Chair, Sierra Club Nuclear Free Team.
EPA issues rare emergency ban on weed-killing pesticide. The EPA recently issued an emergency ban of the pesticide Dacthal, commonly used on grasses and crops to control weeds. For decades, research has consistently shown that Dacthal poses severe health risks to babies in utero, including low birth weight, impaired brain development, and impaired motor skills. So why has it remained on the market this long? Read more by Lily Carey - Sierra Magazine - August 18, 2024.
Digital literacy among Tennessee's older adults. "Older adults face specific challenges in accessing, learning, and using technologies that could enhance their quality of life. When Tennesseans of all ages can access and proficiently navigate the digital realm, it benefits their well-being and the state’s prosperity. This report examines recent trends and barriers to digital literacy among older adults and key initiatives and considerations to narrow the digital divide." Read more by David Simpson - Sycamore Institute - July 20, 3034.
Fall foliage in the Smokies. Photo courtesy of Discover Life in America.
Volunteer Communications Opportunity
Are you interested in building your digital communications skillset while supporting a great cause?
The Harvey Broome Group (Knoxville area) is seeking an editor for the monthly E-Newsletter. You will be trained in the Marketing Cloud email program, and with a few hours a month, you'll be helping the Harvey Broome Group publicize important local news, events, and opportunities. If interested, please call or text Jerry Thornton at 865-719-9742 or email him at gatwildcat@aol.com.
Fundraising Corner
Are You a Defenders Fund Member?
By Susan Johnston
If you are, then you know that Scott Banbury, our full-time lobbyist to the Tennessee State Legislature, relies on you. Scott is now the only full-time lobbyist to the Tennessee State Legislature devoted entirely to environmental issues, and he is there every day that they are in session, to watch and affect what is happening.
Folks, our contributions are more important every year. Keep an eye out for your special letter in the mail in early September asking you to donate again to the Defenders Fund.
If you are not yet a Defenders Fund member, you can join the effort to support Scott's work by simply going to our website. Donate and get on this list of special supporters for the environment!
View from Suttree Landing Park in Knoxville. Photo courtesy Emilie Stooksbury, new2knox.com.
September Events
Statewide environmental events listed chronologically.
Do you have an event you'd like publicized?
Send it to Enews.sierratn@gmail.com.
Sept. 5-7th - Transformative Global Leadership Conference. Join Marquita Bradshaw and many more community leaders for a convening of black culture, faith, and justice. Event at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville. Registration here.
Sept. 10th, 5:00-8:30 pm - HBG Annual Picnic. Join the Harvey Broome Group for a fun get-together at Suttree Landing Park located at Ft. Loudon Lake. This lovely spot has a playground, ADA-compliant walkways, and a ramp for canoe/kayak access. Please register here so we know how many to expect. HBG will provide hotdogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers. Feel free to bring a dish, dessert, or non-alcoholic beverage to share!
Sept. 21st - Rally for the Valley! Rescheduled from May's inclement weather, it's time to rally for the valley and make this one huge. The rally is taking place on Saturday, September 21 from 1-5pm Central Time at Centennial Park in Nashville (specifically the Bandshell). There will be a great line-up of speakers, tabling, and even live music. It’s gonna be amazing! Sign up on Eventbrite.
Sept. 28th - Appalachia Regional Conference. Citizens' Climate Lobby is hosting a conference to inspire engagement with climate solutions on the local or national level. There will be lots of opportunities to network with other volunteers making a difference in their own communities. We're building a climate for positive change here in Tennessee and Kentucky! Learn more at Building a Climate for Change
. Location: Scarritt Bennett Conference Center - Laskey Building, Nashville, Tennessee.
Oct. 18-20th - Sierra Club Tennessee Fall Retreat at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Enjoy the company of other environmentalists during the peak of the fall colors! Register by Oct. 12th for early bird pricing. Details here!
Oct. 27-29th - Great Smokies Eco-Adventure. Benefitting Discover Life in America (DLiA), this immersive, three-day, two-night “glamping” experience includes cozy and comfortable camping, guided nature hikes and locally sourced meals and drinks. The event also doubles as an important fundraiser for DLiA, funding vital research on biodiversity in the national park. Learn more here.
Register on Eventive to view this 46-minute film for free, now through Monday, September 30th.
Species Spotlight
This month's featured species is: Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Great Blue Lobelia is photographed in Walker County, Georgia's Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area. This plant's flowers were more mauve-colored than is usually seen. Photo: Alan Cressler, via Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center.
This plant is native to eastern and central North America. It is an herbaceous perennial, preferring moist to wet soils, and it grows in either sunny or shady environments.
Great Blue Lobelia is a member of the bellflower family, and blooms in late summer with lavender-blue flowers. The blooms have two segments on the upper lip, and three segments on the lower lip. The plant grows rather tall—up to 4 feet.
While toxic in large quantities, this plant has been used to treat a variety of maladies including cough, colds, muscle disorders, and—yes—syphilis. Be advised: the data does not support the efficacy of such a treatment!
Contact Us
Do you have a program or speaker idea for your Group? An issue you're particularly passionate about? Do you have a story idea for the Tennes-Sierran or the e-newsletter? Let us know! Look through our past programs for inspiration. Submit your suggestion here!
The views expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sierra Club.
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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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