With the election season (mostly) behind us, and winter weather finally here, it seems we're turning the corner into a new season. May these changed days bring you and yours a renewed sense of possibility. This enews contains updates on election results and our work toward success in 2021.
As a reminder, Sierra Club in-person outings, meetings, and events remain on hold until at least March 1. Although we're entering the holiday season of family gatherings, there's strong evidence to show house parties are fueling the spread of COVID. Governor Sisolak has asked everyone to stay home for the next two weeks to dampen the spread of COVID-19. Please be careful, everyone. We need you healthy to help us pursue climate action and environmental justice and protection in 2021. Here are some of our recent updates and activities.
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2020 Election: A Win for the Environment
Now it’s time to work with our elected champions to act on climate and protect our environment and communities.
In the 2020 general election, more Nevadans voted than ever before. As of November 10, more than 1.3 million Nevadans cast their ballots, compared with 976,000 in 2018 and 1.1 million voters in 2016 (All data from the Secretary of State website). Votes are still being counted and are expected to be certified by November 16.
The results (as of November 12) show a mandate for environmental action, with 81% of Sierra Club endorsed candidates winning their races in Nevada. Particularly notable is the Biden-Harris ticket win for the Presidency. Now we will have an administration dedicated to climate action and environmental justice.
Even better, results at the state and local levels in Nevada give us numerous opportunities to advance renewable energy, electrified transportation, mining tax reform, and other important climate and environmental priorities at the Nevada Legislature, at county commissions and city councils across our region.
These elections proved that when you show up, good things happen. Voting is only the first step in making the solutions above come to life, however. Commit to working for climate, environmental and justice solutions in 2021.
Click here to read more details about the 2020 election results.
Click here to join one of our action teams in the region.
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Nevada Climate Action Update
The climate crisis is here. Without swift action, it will further threaten the health and livelihoods of Nevadans. Fortunately, Nevada’s leaders have recognized the urgency, passing a 50 percent renewable portfolio standard in 2019 and setting statewide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction goals to zero or near-zero emissions by 2050. However, Nevada is not yet on track to meet these goals. The good news: Nevada can rise to meet our climate challenges if we act boldly.
Sierra Club, GridLab, Natural Resources Defense Council, and Evolved Energy released a new report, Pathways and Policies to Achieve Nevada’s Climate Goals: An Emissions, Equity, and Economic Analysis, which offers specific policy recommendations to meet Nevada’s climate goals, while addressing equity and air pollution with energy costs similar to or even lower than today’s. This report and our local leaders' comments were submitted to inform the Sisolak Administration's Nevada's Climate Strategy, which is due out in December.
Click here to read more and take action for bold climate solutions in Nevada.
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Preparing for Action
The elections proved that when we show up, we win. Now it's time to show up with our elected champions and effect the changes we need. We have solutions, we have some allies in government and business, but we don't have a lot of time. And there are powerful interests who want to continue polluting, paving, and poisoning their way to profit at the expense of people and the planet.
Sierra Club is investing in the Toiyabe Chapter's ability to turn your desire for climate and environmental solutions into action and results that matter. We're gearing up to better connect you with powerful ways to make a difference.
Give us a shot. Sign up for our Volunteer Virtual Open House on November 30. Hear from local Sierra Club staff and lead volunteers about all of our different work—from climate to recycling, protecting public lands to the Nevada Legislature. See if there's a place for you to plug in and make a difference.
If you can't make it, sign up for one of our action teams, and we'll connect you with inspiring work to bring sustainable solutions, environmental justice, and a brighter future to our region. Thanks for being part of the solution.
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Monthly Givers are Monthly Heroes
Power exists in many forms. Sierra Club's grassroots advocacy empowers caring citizens like you to show up, speak out, and make a difference for our lands, waters, wildlife, and families. There is also power in your financial gifts, which support our advocacy and power-building across Nevada and the eastern Sierra.
Be a badger, and dig in ... to your wallet. Get out your credit card and pledge a monthly gift. As little as a few dollars each month is a regular, steady stream of investment in sage grouse, sustainable urban design, electric transportation, renewable energy, and progress toward a better solution for all of us.
These are uncertain times. Your monthly gift provides the certainty we need to keep working on your behalf. Please join the ranks of Toiyabe Chapter's monthly donors. Thank you for being part of the solution!
Click here to become a monthly donor to the Toiyabe Chapter.
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Beyond Coal Monthly Meeting, Nov. 19
Join Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign on November 19, at 5:30 pm. We will be talking about how we can help move Nevada away from fossil fuels at the 2021 Nevada Legislature, what the next steps of our campaign look like, and how you can help make a difference.
Find out more information on our Facebook link here.
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Tahoe Area Group
 Herbicides in Lake Tahoe?
The Lahontan Water Board Will Decide
On November 19, the Lahontan Regional Water Control Board will decide whether to permit the first-time-ever application of chemical herbicides in Lake Tahoe to control the spread of Eurasian milfoil and other invasive aquatic weeds.
There are so many reasons why herbicides are a bad idea in Lake Tahoe, it took us 66 pages to explain them all. A few of the most important reasons include the fact that herbicides haven't worked elsewhere; allowing their use in Tahoe will open the door to their continued use and the degradation of Tahoe's purity; and authorities have not yet thoroughly tested non-chemical treatments before a decision can be made.
Click here to read more details and take action. Will you speak out to the Water Board in opposition to this dangerous proposal?
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| 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 health care. The fight for environmental justice cannot be separated from the fight for racial justice. |
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Join the Sierra Club
Thanks for reading. Become an environmental champion by becoming a member! The Sierra Club is the largest, oldest, grassroots environmental organization in the nation. Your support will make us stronger!
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