February 2022 Newsletter

The Quinnehtukqut

February 2022

A Note from our Chapter Chair After our winter break, catch up with this year’s first update from our Chapter Chair! We have a lot to be excited about and share with you. This is Sierra Club Connecticut’s 50th year anniversary, and we’re looking forward to all the strides we will be making in 2022!	Campaign Highlights Take a look at the highlights from Sierra Club Connecticut’s current campaigns and what we’ve been working on this last month. As always, thank you to all of our volunteers—we couldn’t do this without you!	Efforts to Address Transportation Pollution Ramp Up Transportation pollution is a threat to our climate and our health. The transportation sector accounts for 37.4% of greenhouse emissions in our state and contributes to poor air quality. Recent actions in other states and on the federal level are encouraging, and it is time for Connecticut to take action too!
Insurance Companies Must Do More to Mitigate Climate Change Insurance companies talk a big game about what they’re doing to address the climate crisis, but let’s be clear – they are aiding the continuation and expansion of our fossil fuel dependency. Our state is a hub of the insurance industry and Sierra Club Connecticut is putting the pressure on to change their ways.	Wildlife Legislative Priorities in the 2022 Session This year’s legislative session is upon us, beginning February 9 and adjourned on May 4. The Sierra Club Connecticut’s Wildlife Committee will be focusing on banning the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling animal acts, banning cruel trapping methods, and advocating for public education to humanely reduce bear interactions.	Sierra Club Connecticut’s 2022 Legislative Priorities Another legislative session is upon us and with it, another chance to make some real progress on important environmental issues. It is time for Connecticut to lead the nation on climate action! We also need to strengthen environmental justice laws, protect our residents from dangerous chemicals, address our looming waste management crisis, and protect our wildlife.
How Do We Achieve “Sustainable”? Our series on soil health and agricultural practices continues. With all the negative effects of conventional farming – on the health of the soil, climates, ecosystems, and even our own bodies – we must push for a more sustainable solution. What does sustainable mean and what does sustainable farming look like?	Book Review If you are interested in living a greener lifestyle and electrifying your future, Saul Friffith has the blueprint for you. He is an author and founder of Rewiring America, a nonprofit teaching people how to live carbon-free, starting in their own homes and garages. Here is a review of Electrify, his book, and Electrify Everything, a guide from Rewiring America.