Strength & Sustainability

How to beat global warming and fix the economy too - starting with the Bay Chapter

This column features insights and perspectives from Sierra Club members who have made recent contributions to Strength & Sustainability, our local Chapter's major-gifts program. The goal of Strength & Sustainability is to strengthen and sustain our Chapter's leadership, outreach, and campaign-organizing capacity. Our successful campaigns influence environmental policies and campaigns throughout California and the country.

Paul Craig is a Bay Chapter member who serves on the Sierra Club's national Smart Energy Solutions Committee and is former Chair of the National Global Warming and Energy Committee. He's a retired UC Davis professor who specialized in environmental policy. He lives in Martinez with his wife Kay, whom he met on a Club hike near Evolution Basin in the High Sierra..

Paul made his first public introduction as a major donor to Strength & Sustainability with an article in the July-August 2006 Yodeler. Following his recent renewal of support to Strength & Sustainability, we have invited him back to share a few hopeful insights about economic instability and global warming.

This is a unique time for the Sierra Club. The Club's grassroots extent and competence means it can play a critical role in combating global warming. Political action thought impossible a few years ago now seems within reach. I'm proud to be playing a small role in helping this come about.

The global context is important. The unprecedented impact of globalization and the information revolution are redefining nation states. These new economic forces are leading to fast-paced economic growth, increased adverse environmental impacts, and growing economic disparity between "haves" and "have-nots".

We need to ensure for ourselves and all the world breathable air, drinkable water, adequate energy. We also need to leave a wonderful world for future generations. We can.

Clever technology is a cornerstone of the Club message. Existing and emerging technologies can simultaneously improve economic well-being and the environment.

With more media coverage than any other environmental organization, we are the most widely recognized and politically salient environmental organization in the world. No organization is in a stronger position to lead our region, state, and country into a new era of smart, sustainable, forward-thinking environmental practices.

My kids, with kids of their own, push me to walk my talk. Due to them we have solar cells on my roof and a Prius in the garage. I can hardly wait to be able to buy a plug-in-hybrid that will get most of its energy from an increasingly renewable electrical grid.

I'm after effectiveness. That's why I invest in the Bay Chapter. We've got great people and a great organization.

To make a contribution, or to find out more about how to support the local Sierra Club Bay Chapter, please contact development director or call (510) 848-0800, ext. 309