Axel Ringe, speaking at Stand Up For Science in Knoxville
A note from Pat Cupples, Chapter Director
Axel Ringe has been a constant source of context, information and inspiration for me since I came to this role. I've leaned on him more times than I can count, and each time he's delivered something across so many issues. He's also gracefully challenged me to be my best and I am grateful for that.
Whether in our legislative committee, conservation meetings or in coalition spaces, we have all benefitted from Axel's expertise and I'm so excited to have him as our VOTM for Earth Month 2026. But being newer to the org, I could never tell the whole story. So I asked Mac Post to and he did an amazing job!
By Mac Post, Harvey Broome Group
Axel Ringe has been an important member of the Tennessee Chapter and the Harvey Broome Group of the Sierra Club for over 20 years. He has held many leadership positions over that time. Currently he is the Chapter’s Litigation Chair and works on Water Quality and Biodiversity projects of the Conservation Committee.
His real importance, however, is that he gets things done.
Through deep research and knowledge of environmental issues concerning Tennessee and neighboring regions he builds working groups and coalitions within the Chapter and with other environmental organizations to bring about effective actions. Examples include working with the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) to craft official comments opposing changes to Tennessee’s Board of Water Quality, Oil and Gas proposal to weaken an Aquatic Resource Alteration Permit application’s scope; participating on the Ways South board of directors to preserve and protect the southern Appalachians by promoting sustainable transportation practices; assisting the National Sierra Club and partners like Appalachian Voices, in bringing litigation against the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for various fossil fuel expansion projects; and much more.
With well-prepared letters to the editors and other calls to action he informs Chapter members and supporters and urges them to contact their legislators at local and state levels where their input has more often than not made a favorable impact for Tennessee’s environment.
Thank you, Axel!
Have a story to tell?
If you've worked with someone whose contribution deserves more than a passing mention, we want to hear from you. It doesn't have to be long. It doesn't have to be polished. It just has to be honest. Send your appreciation to pat.cupples@sierraclub.org and help us share the stories of what our work looks like through the people doing it.