| 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. |
In order for Sierra Club to fully support racial justice, and thus fight for Black and Brown liberation, we must acknowledge the organization’s origins in white supremacy and commit to repairing the white supremacy culture and resultant racism that Sierra Club has perpetuated. The following article by Michael Brune, Executive director of the Sierra Club, addresses that topic.
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The Sierra Club is a 128-year-old organization with a complex history, some of which has caused significant and immeasurable harm. As defenders of Black life pull down Confederate monuments across the country, we must also take this moment to reexamine our past and our substantial role in perpetuating white supremacy. |
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On August 13, our speaker will be Molly Cook of the Stop I-45 Coalition. This meeting will be conducted using Zoom. Everyone is welcome.
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At our Bay Area Zoom meeting on August 19, Dr. Shahir Masri will talk about climate change and environmental racism. He is the author of Beyond Debate: 50 Misconceptions on Climate Change.
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On August 20th the Houston environmental community will host a virtual candidate forum with Tom Ramsey (Republican) and Michael Moore (Democrat), the two candidates for Harris County Commissioner, Precinct 3.
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Please help save the Turtle Science and Recovery Program at Padres Island National Seashore. Link to the online petition is in the article.
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By Evelyn L. Merz
A major change is planned in the near future for the Harris County Flood Control Task Force. The change is that it is being replaced by the Harris County Community Resilience Task Force (CRTF). |
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Water Rising: Equitable Approaches to Urban Flooding webinar on August 11. From localized flood events to extreme storms, hurricanes, and rising sea levels, floodwaters are rising around the nation. Water knows no jurisdictional boundaries, but flooding impacts often do.
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The Great American Outdoors Act, H.R.1957, sponsored by the late Rep. John Lewis, has passed the House and Senate. It will include funding for a huge backlog of deferred maintenance at the National Park Service, as well as for the Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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By Brandt Mannchen
In this sad and difficult time of African-American murders by police, Covid-19 stealth attacks, and increased climate change intensity, it is hard to understand how we can make a difference. |
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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!
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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. This month we have included a virtual outing from Tom Douglas.
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By Tom Douglas
How a video of a Houston Sierra Club member’s favorite swamp found its way onto the 10 O’clock news.
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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.
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| 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. |
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