Cape Fear Sierra Club

July 17, 2020

Lindsay here! I've been working as part of the Mayor's Ad Hoc Clean Energy Task Force for the City of Wilmington, where I am a part of the sub-committee tasked with researching North Carolina's Clean Energy Policy and Legislation.
The Task Force is committed to hearing what the community has to say about clean energy and has initiated the following survey to get public perspective on what actions Wilmington should prioritize in pursuing a Clean Energy goal.

Please take a moment to give your thoughts on Wilmington's clean energy future.

The survey is open until July 24th, so please share far and wide within your networks. It is important that as many voices are heard as possible.

July 17, 2020

Each election cycle, your local Sierra Club volunteers undertake a good deal of work to identify and endorse candidates who are advocates for clean air, clean water, environmental justice, and healthy communities.

We are proud to present our selections and will continue to share their names as voting opportunities begin. The Cape Fear Group asks for your vote and support for these endorsed candidates who we best believe will lead us to a healthier and more sustainable future.

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Although different from past events, we will still be holding a fundraiser this year to raise money for these campaigns. Stay tuned for fundraising details, as well as upcoming endorsements for state and national offices.

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New Hanover County Commissioners

Jonathan Barfield

Leslie Cohen

Dr Kyle Horton

NCGA House

District 4 - Christoper Schulte

District 16 - Debbie Fintak

District 17 - Deb Butler

District 19 - Marcia Morgan

District 20 - Adam Ericson

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NCGA Senate

District 8 - David Sink

District 9 - Harper Peterson

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As you know, boundaries have changed, so please check your district. We look forward to electing inspiring candidates with your help!

July 17, 2020

Following years of legal battles and community opposition, Duke Energy and Dominion Energy announced they are canceling construction of their 600-mile, $8 billion fracked gas Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The project had become increasingly controversial as communities, environmental organizations and racial justice advocates raised concerns over the effects it would have  on public health, water quality, and the climate. This historic news comes after numerous legal defeats, ongoing court cases, and a massive coalition spanning multiple states demanded that the pipeline be canceled.  

In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Michael Brune released the following statement:
“If anyone still had questions about whether or not the era of fracked gas was over, this should answer them. Today is a historic victory for clean water, the climate, public health, and our communities. Duke and Dominion did not decide to cancel the Atlantic Coast Pipeline -- the people and frontline organizations that led this fight for years forced them into walking away. Today’s victory reinforces that united communities are more powerful than the polluting corporations that put profits over our health and future.

“Stopping the Atlantic Coast Pipeline is a historic victory for the health and well-being of communities along the route of the project, and adds to the mountain of evidence that we do not require fracked gas to meet our energy needs. Now, rather than investing in the further destruction of our clean water and communities, we can continue to grow the booming clean energy economy creating jobs and protecting public health.”

We are so grateful for this progress. We all could use some good news right now!

June 22, 2020

In-person Sierra Club events are on hold through the summer, but we hope to stay as connected as possible as we navigate a new normal. Be on the lookout next month for a Zoom event with your local Cape Fear Group. We hope to see you then!

June 22, 2020

As champions for the environment, we especially know it takes more than just not doing harm to ensure a healthy planet; we must actively fight against wrongdoings and implement more effective ways of living and treating the Earth. The same is true for combating racism; it is not enough to not be racist, we must actively be anti-racist. As we as both individuals and an organization learn how to best do this, here is a starting list of resources that can give us perspective, information, and motivation to unite and work together to dismantle systemic racism and create a healthy environment and future for people of all color.

June 22, 2020

The Cape Fear Group stands with the national Sierra Club and their following statement:

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Our hearts are heavy with the grief and pain that our Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) members, friends, partners, and communities continue to experience as a result of systemic racism, police brutality and the heightened risk from COVID-19.  

Environmental issues cannot be separated from racial and social justice. We can’t succeed in enlisting humanity in protecting the human and natural world while racism continues to divide us and inflict suffering. Sierra Club is on a journey to becoming a better ally and accomplice against racism. We commit to centering and uplifting the voices and experiences of BIPOC people.

June 09, 2020

The Sierra Club stands in solidarity with the Black community in envisioning a future free of discrimination, police brutality, and systemic injustices. The national Sierra Club signed on to a letter supporting these goals and eyeing a brighter future alongside the NAACP, Service Employees International Union, and Planned Parenthood, representing groups across a spectrum coming together for a crucial cause. You can find the joint letter here.

May 12, 2020

It's never too early to start thinking about voting! With an unprecedented health concern affecting our election year, many people will take to mail-in ballots and skip the polling places. We want everyone to have all the information they need to have their voice heard. NCvoter.org has comprehensive information on requesting ballots, registering, and more. Absentee ballots must be received by your county's Board of Elections by Tuesday, October 27th. Ballots must be completed in the presence of two witnesses or a notary public; details can be found here. Elections have been won by single digits; make sure your voice is heard!

May 12, 2020

We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. While in-person meetings are still on hold, we are taking our Green Drinks social online again this month. We will use Zoom to video chat with one another about environmental issues and more, and enjoy the company of fellow environmentalists at a safe distance. Green Drinks will take place on Thursday, May 28th from 6:30pm to 8pm. Please pre-register to join the Zoom call here.  Be well and we hope to see you online!

May 12, 2020

We need your help! The Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act would phase out certain single-use plastics and shift the burden of plastic waste to the companies producing it.  

We must seize this opportunity. The equivalent of roughly a garbage truck’s worth of plastic enters our oceans every minute. You’ve seen the result: Dolphins, whales and other marine life killed by ingesting plastic debris or being entangled in it. Now is the time for the federal government to act. Tell your members of Congress to protect our oceans and marine life from plastic pollution.

Take Action Here!

May 12, 2020

The #StoryOfPlastic is the story BIG PLASTIC does not want you to see, and it’s fueling the global movement to #BreakFreeFromPlastic. Even though we can't watch together in person, we can still flatten the curve and be together virtually.   

Our great panel discussion will include Wilmington-based plastic expert Bonnie Monteleone, the Executive Director and Director of Science, Research and Academic Partnerships for the Plastic Ocean Project, Inc. We will also host Erin Carey, Manager of Coastal Programs for the NC Sierra Club and Dave Pollock, Chair of the Cape Fear Sierra Club.

You are invited to attend this virtual screening and discussion on any of these three dates - whichever works best for you. Once you are in the meeting, the film link will be posted. We will all use the link to view the film and as soon as the film is over, we will resume the meeting. Please sign up with one of the Eventbrite links below. Don't forget to invite your friends! 

Wilmington: 5/19/20
Register and get your ticket on Eventbrite; watch the trailer and RSVP on Facebook
 
Morehead City:  5/20/20
Register and get your ticket on Eventbrite ; watch the trailer and RSVP on Facebook 
 
Greenville:  5/21/20 
Register and get your ticket on Eventbrite; watch the trailer and RSVP on Facebook
 
This event is sponsored by Oceana in addition to the Cape Fear, Croatan, and Cypress Groups of the NC Chapter of the Sierra Club.

May 12, 2020

We will be VIRTUALLY joining hands on May 16th to continue our momentum to say NO to filthy fuels and YES to clean energy.  Hands Across The Sand has created a video featuring messages from their founder, sponsors, organizers, and participants over the last eleven years. The event will be live on their Facebook at 12pm on Saturday, May 16th. 

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Please like, comment, and share the live stream to show support for the fight to protect our oceans and lands! If possible, tag your government representatives! Thank you for joining us in our quest to save our planet from climate change!

April 27, 2020

We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy. While in-person meetings are still on hold, we are taking our Green Drinks social online this month. We will use Zoom to video chat with one another about environmental issues and more, and enjoy the company of fellow environmentalists at a safe distance. Green Drinks will take place on Thursday, April 30th from 6pm to 8pm. Please pre-register to join the Zoom call here.  Be well and we hope to see you online!

April 16, 2020

Thank you to all activists who have sent in comments to DAQ on the Active Energy pellet plant in Lumberton and new state regulations for methyl bromide. New comment deadlines are April 27th for the wood pellet plant and May 8th for methyl bromide.

Email comments to DAQ.publiccomments@ncdenr.gov. Please type “Active Energy Renewable Power” in the subject line. The draft permit, permit review, application and environmental justice snapshot are available here. To submit comments on methyl bromide click here. Your voice counts!

April 16, 2020

New Hanover County is updating its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The UDO is a set of development and land use standards for the county. Before us is a rare opportunity to ensure this update reflects today’s economic, cultural and environmental realities. 

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The Cape Fear Group of the Sierra Club and other partners in our community need you to reach out to the New Hanover County Planning Board and Commissioners to ask for thoughtful county-wide ordinances that promote environmentally sustainable economic development, recruitment and business practices that will maintain our public health and quality of life.

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Click here for suggested language to use when contacting Planning Board members and Commissioners.

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April 20, 2020

"Rain Gardens -- Heal Our Waterways!"

Link up to learn about how you can help heal our local waterways, including by installing a rain garden at your home. Protecting our waterways from polluted stormwater runoff doesn't have to be hard. There are options simple to put in place and relatively easy to maintain. A rain garden is one of the best options, helping to soak in polluted stormwater runoff while reducing your water use at the same time! Anna Reh-Gingerich, the Interim Watershed Coordinator for the Heal Our Waterways Program sponsored by the City of Wilmington, will be presenting--in time to put in your gardens for this coming season!

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Join Zoom Meeting : https://zoom.us/j/667917869, Meeting ID: 667 917 869. To join via phone only: One tap mobile +16468769923,,667917869# US (New York); +13126266799,,667917869# US (Chicago)

March 16, 2020

*Following guidelines released from the Sierra Club we are cancelling all in person meetings until Sunday June 14th. Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon.

February 17, 2020

Josh McClenney, NC Field Coordinator  For Applachian Voices  (Click here about Josh)

Josh will be speaking about Energy Justice, and how that ties into the work that Appalahian Voices and the Energy Justice North Carolina Coalition is doing to end Duke Energy's monopoly in the state at both a grasstops and grassroots level.Link to Appalachian voices

Meeting Starts at 6 PM with free pizza

Program starts at 6:30

Location:  Halyburton Park
 

March 18, 2020

This is a public hearing about the use of the neurotoxin methyl bromide. Many people have work hard to stop the use of this chemical in our state.  Methyl bromide has been banned around the world due to its effects on life and the ozone layer.  If you cannot attend the meeting please write.