| As people across the country protest in defense of Black lives, the Sierra Club recognizes the need to dismantle systemic racism in the United States and within our own organization. We must reckon with how white supremacy -- both past and present -- has shaped our institutions and do the critical anti-racism work necessary to repair the harm done. The environmental movement does not exist in a vacuum, and it is our responsibility to use our power to help abolish systemic racism, which is destroying lives, communities, and the planet. |
"You can’t have climate change without sacrifice zones, and you can’t have sacrifice zones without disposable people, and you can't have disposable people without racism." - Hop Hopkins,
We recognize that these are troubling times with both the COVID pandemic and unrest in the streets due to police brutality - including homicide -- against black and brown people. We recognize that we are asking our members and supporters to engage at a time when we are struggling with many issues. It is OK to step back from “normal” Sierra Club activities and take time to support your family and loved ones. It is also a good time to engage with other organizations that are fighting for racial justice.
The environmental movement does not exist in a vacuum, and it is our responsibility to use our power to help abolish systemic racism, which is destroying lives, communities, and the planet. We must never forget that the environmental movement is a racial justice movement.
This newsletter will center on the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting some articles about racism and anti-racism. Please visit our blog to see what else is going on in the Houston Group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Sierra Club in Texas is committed to adopting anti-racism principles in order to dismantle white supremacy and systemic racism within the environmental movement. White people must commit to supporting radical change both within themselves and within our political systems in order to make our area a place where Black communities can thrive. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hop Hopkins, the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Sierra Club, writes about a reality that is often overlooked in the environmental movement: climate change is a result of white supremacy. "You can’t have climate change without sacrifice zones, and you can’t have sacrifice zones without disposable people, and you can't have disposable people without racism." |
|
|
|
|
|
At this difficult time, early voting in several critical runoff elections in Texas is underway. Voter turnout in runoff elections is typically low, and therefore VOTING is extremely important!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Environmental racism particularly impacts Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color (BIPOC) communities in the form of plastic. Plastic conveniences our lives in many ways but carry hefty tolls on other communities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In early June the Sierra Club extended its current COVID-19 operational response through Monday, August 31st. This means that all Outings and in-person meetings will remain on hold until that date. An update on Outings, etc. beyond August 31 is expected from the National Sierra Club sometime in mid August.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Houston Group of the Sierra Club is looking for help in the following areas:
Webmaster, Wetlands Chair, Air Pollution Chair, Lone Star Hiking Trail Volunteers, Outings Leaders, Climate Justice Chair, Political Committee, Audio / Video Coordinator, Forestry. Help to make a difference for the Sierra Club!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For current information on upcoming outings in the Houston area, check out our MeetUp site. Outings have been temporarily cancelled, due to the COVID-19 virus. You can still upload your old photos to previous outings, or walk some trails on your own, while maintaining a safe physical distance from others.
|
|
|
|
|
When you donate to the Sierra Club's Houston Group, you support local efforts to:
- Protect wild and treasured places, from the Big Bend area to the Big Thicket
- Keep our air and water clean
- Ensure adequate water supply for people and environment
- Ensure a clean energy future
- Reduce climate disruption
- Keep pressure on politicians and corporations to ensure safe and healthy communities
Your financial help allows us to meet the challenges of protecting and preserving our treasured Houston area.
|
|
|
| The COVID-19 crisis has not passed and continues to disproportionately harm Black, Indigenous, and Latinx people and other communities of color. The pandemic has revealed how the communities hardest hit are often the same communities that suffer from high levels of pollution and poor access to healthcare. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
