The Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club believes that the quality of human life is inseparable from the health of the natural world. The vitality of our communities and ecosystems depends on the protection of wildlife, open spaces, and the green places within our cities. Supporting biodiversity of flora and fauna is essential for resilient ecosystems and, in turn, to our physical and emotional well-being.
We recognize that a livable climate requires a rapid transition away from fossil fuels and toward clean, renewable energy for everyone. We therefore prioritize policies and projects that accelerate this transition, particularly the deployment of distributed or local clean energy resources that can rapidly strengthen community resilience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
We affirm that clean air, clean water, and unpolluted land are the foundations of a healthy planet. Preventing and reducing pollution in all its forms is critical to the well-being of people, wildlife, and the ecosystems upon which all life depends.
We believe that enjoying and experiencing the natural world is essential to inspiring people to protect it. Through safe, inclusive, and locally grounded outings and hikes, we seek to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with nature, build a sense of belonging in the outdoors, and cultivate the next generation of environmental advocates.
We are committed to environmental justice in everything we do—a healthy environment for all. We stand with front-line and historically marginalized communities so that no one is asked to sacrifice their health, safety, and quality of neighborhood life. Our advocacy is guided by the commitment to ensuring that all people can share fairly in the benefits of a healthy environment, especially the physical and economic security that comes from clean air, water, and land. For environmental justice to be a realistic goal, we are committed to ensuring that our work maintains its integrity by remaining independent and guided by our core environmental values, rather than by the priorities of special interest groups.
Our conservation, climate, and anti-pollution efforts are carried out through legislative advocacy, collaboration with local officials, grassroots organizing, litigation, education, and community engagement that starts with listening to the voices of impacted communities. Our vision is a thriving future in which healthy ecosystems flourish, wildlife is abundant, and every person can enjoy the full benefits of a clean, safe, and vibrant natural world.
Resolution Affirming the Mission, Values, and Independence of the Loma Prieta Chapter
Whereas the health of our communities is inseparable from the health of the natural world; and
Whereas protecting biodiversity, rapidly transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, and preventing pollution of air, water, and land are essential to a livable future; and
Whereas environmental justice requires that front- line and historically marginalized communities are not asked to sacrifice their health or safety and share fairly in the benefits of a healthy environment; and
Whereas experiencing and enjoying the natural world through outings, hikes, and other outdoor activities is essential to inspiring and sustaining the will to protect it; and
Whereas the integrity of the Loma Prieta Chapter’s work depends on remaining independent and guided by core environmental values, rather than by the priorities of special interest groups;
Therefore be it resolved that:
- The Loma Prieta Chapter Executive Committee formally adopts the Chapter’s Mission and Values and Principles as the guiding framework for all Chapter programs, campaigns, and major decisions.
- The Chapter will prioritize actions that:
- Safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems,
- Accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy, and
- Prevent and reduce pollution of air, water, and land.
- The Chapter will embed environmental justice in all aspects of its work and will center the needs and voices of front-line and historically marginalized communities.
- The Chapter reaffirms its independence from special interest groups whose priorities conflict with environmental protection and a just, sustainable future, and will evaluate major partnerships, endorsements, and campaigns for consistency with these commitments.
- The Chapter affirms the importance of a strong, locally-led outings program as a core expression of the Sierra Club’s mission to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet, and will work to support safe, inclusive, and accessible opportunities for people to experience nearby nature.