| As we deal with a global pandemic with COVID-19, we wanted to let you know how the Sierra Club is adapting and responding so we can keep doing the important work of helping our communities, protecting our natural and human environment and fighting for a just, clean energy future. |
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Dear Supporter,
I’ll be honest with you, this has been a difficult couple of weeks.
As urgent updates continue to fill our newsfeeds, it’s all too easy to get inundated by breaking news and live coverage of COVID19. I know that many of us are worried--about our loved ones and our communities, and for what the future holds. I am right there with you.
You're an important part of the Washington State Sierra Club’s work, and in light of this uncertainty, we want to share how we’re adapting to support this community and keep working on the issues that matter to all of us. I hope that it will assuage some of your fears, and empower you to take action with us.
In compliance with state and local public health guidance, our office has been closed and staff have been working remotely since Friday, March 6th. We also made the difficult decision to postpone all in-person Sierra Club events, outings, and meetings out of an abundance of caution for our staff and volunteers. By “flattening the curve” we can slow the transmission of the virus and give our healthcare workers a buffer to help those most in need.
However, no matter where we are, just know that we will continue to fight for a green and equitable Washington state for all.
We understand what’s at stake. Even if we can’t meet in person, we’ll continue to protect communities like Kalama and Tacoma from dangerous fossil fuel infrastructure. We’ll keep fighting for the survival of our orca and salmon. These issues will only be exacerbated by the spread of COVID19--that’s why we need your support more than ever. If you’re fortunate enough to be at home, there are still many ways you can get involved to protect our communities and our environment.
But we also recognize that this moment calls for us to do more. Right now, we are working in solidarity with the frontline workers and vulnerable communities bearing the full brunt of the economic and social impact of this crisis. Together, we can create transformative policy changes that not only help us get through these difficult times ahead, but create a better world in its wake.
Despite these uncertain times, we will continue this important work every single day and keep you updated on our progress. After all, these too are Sierra Club issues--because everyone deserves a healthy and equitable environment in which to grow and thrive.
Thanks, as always, for standing alongside us.
Jesse Piedfort
Chapter Director
Washington State Sierra Club |
Sunset over Washington
By Erick De Luna
(@erickdeluna_) Location: Occupied Hoh, Quileute,and Quinault lands (Hoh Rainforest, Washington)
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The long-awaited Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on recovering Snake and Columbia River salmon was released on February 28th. Sadly, the DEIS fails to take the bold steps needed to recover our endangered salmon, steelhead, and orca. The federal agencies are giving us until April 13th to submit feedback on this woefully inadequate DEIS. Here's how you can weigh in!
By Bill Arthur, Vice Chair Conservation Committee • 867 words / 6 min
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Thanks to your dedicated support across Washington state, protections for critical fish habitat and water quality took a big leap forward with the passage of suction dredge reform legislation (HB 1261). This was one of the priority bills for the Sierra Club this session and we are glad to see it passed due to strong coalition support and collaboration. Join us in thanking our legislative champions!
By Bill Arthur, Vice Chair Conservation Committee • 256 words / 2 min
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The Trump administration has pushed forward with an unpopular, unnecessary, and dangerous rollback of climate and public health policy. The clean car standards are one of the best policies we have on the books to fight the climate crisis, protect public health, and save communities money at the pump. We can’t stand by and do nothing while our country’s air quality worsens and people’s health suffers as a result. Take action now!
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The 2020 legislative session saw important climate advocacy for Washington State. The brief 60-day session resulted in the passage of some important bills, but also some significant disappointments. We pushed for bills in Olympia that would help reduce climate pollution in our transportation system, our homes and buildings, and our energy sector. Here’s how they fared:
By Jesse Piedfort, Director of Sierra Club Washington State Chapter & Kelsey Hamlin, Volunteer Outreach and Development Coordinator • 750 words / 6 min
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Community of Care
Feeling a little isolated? In this time of social distancing, we thought it might be nice to connect with other people statewide, build relationships, and share resources.
We'll be hosting a Zoom call on Friday, April 3rd at 4pm. Please join if you'd like!
Friday, April 3, 2020
4 PM – 5:30 PM
Zoom: https://bit.ly/fridaycommunitycare
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Our Reading List:
Capitalism, white supremacy, and colonialism—not humanity itself—are the conditions that breed the destruction of natural habitats, the poisoning and polluting of our water supply, and the defiling of the health of our planet and our bodies. It is imperative that we make that distinction. When we do not, it leaves room for the most damaging systems of our world to thrive even more by throwing marginalized people under the bus.
There is ample research showing the many benefits of the arts: improved mood, increased cognitive function, even boosted immunity. From streaming performances to online workshops and movement classes, Seattle artists are helping people find hope and inspiration during the COVID-19 outbreak even as they struggle themselves.
NBC News: Coronavirus fears show how 'model minority' Asian Americans become the 'yellow peril'
While viruses and other pathogens do not discriminate between hosts based on race, ethnicity, nationality or immigration status — stigma and misinformation certainly do. Recognizing and understanding the simultaneous impact of both “yellow peril” and “model minority” stereotypes, as well as the true diversity of Asian Americans, is essential.
For many workers, being sick means choosing between staying home and getting paid. One-quarter of workers have no access to paid sick days, according to Labor Department data: two-thirds of the lowest earners but just 6 percent of the highest earners. Just a handful of states and local governments have passed sick leave laws.
Vox: How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart
“If more of us do that, we will slow the spread of the disease,” Emily Landon, an infectious disease specialist and hospital epidemiologist at the University of Chicago Medicine, told Vox. “That means my mom and your mom will have a hospital bed if they need it.”
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