Greetings! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

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This is the last “Q” of 2022, we’ll be taking a break in January, and so this is a good time to look back on our accomplishments and highlights of the past year and start to plan for the next year ahead.

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Your involvement in large and small ways is encouraged – all are welcome here! We have an amazing group of people working together for a cleaner, healthier environment, and more just policies in our state. I hope stepping up for the climate will be among your resolutions for the coming year!

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Highlights of 2022

2022 was the 50th anniversary of the Connecticut Chapter, and the 139th of Sierra Club National. To me this shows the strength and commitment of our members. We stand together to protect our state’s lands and waterways and work to instill a love of nature in future generations. Our campaigns reach further afield to impact areas as far as the Arctic Refuge and into the future through our influence on strong policy.

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Our anniversary activities have included:

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• A video featuring some of our amazing staff and volunteer leaders discussing our current campaigns

• Profiles of long-time members

• Community clean ups

• Special outings

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This year, we have seen major accomplishments. Here are a few noteworthy ones.

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• Years of advocacy paid off in legislation passed, including codifying the Governor’s Executive Order on climate goals into law. Other successful bills will make historic investments into EV infrastructure and require our schools to teach about climate change.

• After the long COVID shutdown, we revived our outings program! It now includes both rural and urban excursions and a special program for veterans.

• A new campaign to #ProtectTheArctic demands that Hartford insurers, Travelers and The Hartford, stop underwriting the destruction of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, lands of the Gwich’in peoples, with oil and gas exploitation. This campaign has already had local, national, and international impacts!

• Following the 2021 release of the Trinity College report on Energy Burden in Hartford, we took many actions to educate and advocate for low or discounted energy rates for low income customers, and grew a coalition of urban advocates for environmental justice.

• The Save Remington Woods campaign defeated a damaging Zoning proposal in Stratford.

• Working with the CT Zero Waste Coalition, we have sponsored several webinars, testified on legislation, and influenced policy to address the waste crisis in Connecticut.

• Our Ready for 100 towns have continued their leadership on clean and renewable energy, including a campaign to electrify lawn care in West Hartford. 

• Of the climate-friendly candidates endorsed by Sierra Club Connecticut, all Federal and statewide endorsees won reelection, and 50 out of 70 won seats in the state legislature. 

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I know the coming year will bring more important wins as we work together for a better world.

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Looking forward to seeing you in February 2023!

Susan

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Susan Eastwood is Chapter Chair of Sierra Club Connecticut.