October 2020 Great Falls Group Cascade |
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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. -- from Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
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Significant Events Calendar
Sept 26-Oct 4 - National Drive Electric Week
Oct 1-30 - Plastic Free Challenge
Oct 2 - 2020 Virginia Environmental Assembly
Oct 24 - Hands Across the Appalachian Trail virtual event
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2020 Virginia Environmental Assembly |
WHEN: Friday, October 2, 2020 (virtual), 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) environmental organization partners; 1:30-4:30 p.m. open to the general public
DETAILS: The Virginia Environmental Assembly brings together conservation leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss our common agenda to protect Virginia’s natural resources. Keynote speaker Dr. J. Drew Lanham, author and professor of ecology at Clemson University, will speak on songbird ecology and the African-American role in natural resources conservation. Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates will participate, and the assembly includes an update and group discussion on VCN’s continued work on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
SPONSOR: Virginia Conservation Network
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Data Centers Are Energy Hogs |
The number of data centers in northern Virginia is large and growing. Dominion and other operators say they will use renewable energy to power the data centers, but they still predominantly use fossil-fuel energy sources. And companies using these data centers have also yet to fulfill their commitment to renewable energy sources. The Great Falls Group of the Sierra Club is working to increase awareness of this issue.
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Would you like to know more about the data centers and consider getting involved?
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We had a Focus Group meeting on the Tuesday, Sept. 29, and a Task Force meeting on Wednesday, the 30th. Hopefully, there will be a lot of information coming out of these meetings, so please check back at the "More details" link below for an update in early October.
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National Drive Electric Week |
WHEN: September 26-October 4
WHERE: Online
DESCRIPTION: National Drive Electric Week is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. They are fun to drive, are less expensive and more convenient to fuel than gasoline vehicles, are better for the environment, promote local jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Are you considering going electric? Come talk to owners who have successfully done so!
Click here to find events and register.
SPONSORS: Plug In America, Sierra Club, and more
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Source: https://driveelectricweek.org/ |
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Power for the People Virginia |
Recent posts from Ivy Main's blog on energy-related matters in Virginia
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Ivy Main, Conservation Co-Chair &
Renewable Energy Chair
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Sierra Club EPA Lawsuit
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, the Sierra Club, along with many other environmental organizations, filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency for eliminating the critically important rules requiring oil and gas companies to monitor methane emissions and repair leaking equipment. Methane, a greenhouse gas, is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
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The Great Falls Group is a local Sierra Club group within the Club’s Virginia Chapter. It is governed by a volunteer leadership group, the Executive Committee (ExCom).
There are nine positions on the ExCom, and each year some of these spots come up for election; this year, four of the nine positions are up for election. Group members are eligible to vote in the election.
ExCom members meet monthly to set the Group's priorities, identify issues and potential solutions, manage the Group's budget, collaborate with other local environmental organizations, and engage new volunteers. The ExCom also works with our local government on environmental issues.
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The Great Falls Group covers most of Prince William and Fairfax counties, and all of Loudoun and Fauquier counties.
Ballots (with candidate statements) and voting instructions will be in the November GFG Cascade. If you are interested in running for the ExCom next year, please feel free to get involved during the year with some of the Group's activities. If you have any questions contact Catherine Carver.
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Virginia Chapter Elections
Two GFG members -- Ann Bennett and Susan Stillman -- are running for two open Chapter ExCom positions. GFG would appreciate your support in getting them elected. All members should be receiving an electronic ballot sometime in October.
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Voter Turnout Drive
Sierra Independent Action is running a massive voter contact program for the national elections focusing on the battleground states of Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Through its vast network, the Sierra Club has identified 1.3 million voters in those states who care about the environment, but who are either undecided or vote infrequently. The Sierra Club needs your help to get these voters motivated! Find out how you can reach voters by writing letters, making phone calls, or sending text messages.
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Absentee Voting
Victoria Higgins, Field Manager for the Virginia Conservation Network, points out that the deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November 3 general election is 5 p.m. on Friday, October 23. You can visit the Board of Elections website now to apply to vote by mail. It takes almost no time at all. Go to https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/Lookup/absentee
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WHEN: October 1-30
DETAILS: This is the 3rd annual Plastic Free Challenge. 30 days, no plastic bottles, straws or bags. 350Fairfax is sponsoring this challenge, together with their partners. This year our struggle to avoid single-use plastic is even more challenging. Sign up and receive our weekly blogs with suggestions and advice on how to tackle our plastic pollution problem. Click here to sign up.
SPONSORS: 350Fairfax, 350Loudoun, EcoArlington, Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions, Friends of Accotink, Friends of Little Hunting Creek, Greater Prince William Climate Action Network, Green Muslims, Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, Sierra Club Great Falls Group
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One Carnivore’s High-Speed Journey to Veganism |
Judy Gayer had a revelation when she sat down to watch a movie on becoming a vegan with her daughter. There are some surprising statistics about the meat industry you may not know.
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Letters to the Editor Writers Wanted
Letters to the editor (LTEs) raise public awareness on issues. Often the editorial page, with its LTEs, is the most read section of the paper. Elected officials ask their staff to read LTEs to learn what issues are important to their constituents. Could your GFG committee benefit from an LTE in either a local or Richmond paper? Let us know. Please contact Linda Brown.
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Checking and Updating Your Sierra Club Contact and Membership Information
Are you not getting your Sierra Club communications -- or maybe you're getting too much? Or do you just want to see if your membership information is correct? Go to My Account on the Sierra Club National website to address these issues and, if needed, update your info.
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The Great Falls Group Needs Your Assistance in Reorganizing
The Sierra Club Great Falls Group is exploring reorganizing and renaming itself. What this means for you is that there are opportunities for you to get involved, use your skills, and make your voice heard in your local and regional area. We need your help and ideas on how to accomplish this. This can be a fun activity and a way to get to know your Sierra Club community members. We are still ramping up this activity.
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Are you interested in getting involved with the reorg?
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Sierra Club
Climate and Energy
Green links are new.
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COVID-19
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. -- from Sierra Club Virginia Chapter
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Ways to Stay in Touch with GFG |
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Send comments or questions to the editor.
Thank you!
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