Originally founded in 1892 by legendary pioneer and environmental activist John Muir, The Sierra Club is one of the largest and most influential grassroots organizations in America. Some of the succesful past campaigns of the Sierra Club include:
- Protecting wilderness areas
- Impacting the passage of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts
- Impacting the passage of the Endangered Species Act
Currently, under Executive Director Michael Brune, the primary focus of the Sierra Club is a transition from fossil fuels to clean energy sources. They are working on three campaigns:
Of the above fossil fuel campaigns, the Sierra Club has seen notable achievements in the Beyond Coal campaign. Working together with other state and national organizations, 180 American coal plants are confirmed for retirement (with 343 left to go) and 66,400MW of clean energy installations have been installed (with 708,600 MW left to go).
The Sierra Club has found an effective voice for inspiring and empowering young people while, at the same time, continuing to connect with their existing base of supporters in new and meaningful ways.
Local Sierra Club chapters exist throughout the US that sponsor outdoor outings and local activist opportunities.
This blog is part of an on-going series highlighting thought leaders in the Non Profit sector.
The Politics of Energy - Educated Voices Needed
The next two years will be challenging for advocates of clean energy in America.
The new Republican majority in Congress is threatening to rollback the progress of the past 6 years. Fossil fuels (tar sands oil, coal and natural gas) are their energy sources of choice - with renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal) pushed aside and starved of funding.
That is why the non-profit organizations we are highlighting in this series need your support. They have the means to educate - to inspire - to call to action - people (like you) that can make a real difference in the debate - and keep us moving on the road to clean energy.
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