The environmental group gave up its singular focus on climate change for a broader agenda. The ensuing internal strife left it weakened as it takes on the Trump administration.
The environmental group gave up its singular focus on climate change for a broader agenda. The ensuing internal strife left it weakened as it takes on the Trump administration.
This is another example of many progressive movements in the US trying to be perfect rather than effective.
Examples are in recent years, local Sierra Clubs have come to be opposed to hunting focused conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited and the Coastal Conservation Association.
For those who don’t know DU and CCA, are conservation focused organizations that want to preserve wetlands and large swaths of habitat so that they can continue to hunt and fish those areas. Their members tend to be much more conservative politically; however, many of their members understand the need to protect habitats and the need for government regulation to protect those areas.
The Sierra Club and DU/CCA should be allies on many common pursuits of protecting wetlands and wild game habitats; however, some local Sierra club representatives are opposed to any hunting/fishing in protected areas and refuse to partner with CCA and DU on projects.
Which is a noble cause, but a futile one.
Especially in purple and red states, local Sierra Clubs now have no power to influence whatsoever policy changes and the more conservation focused CCA/DU have fewer allies to implement stricter government regulations to protect wetland habitats.
When organizing for public change, everyone remembers not to let perfect get in the way of good. Be concise and clear on what your goals are, and focus explicitly on those.
I’ve also long suspected that PETA was once an upstanding organization that had internal strife and the original founders pushed out by the psychos.
Another recent Sierra Club example, is the Sierra Club opposed new renewable energy projects in Puerto Rico because it would require developing “ecologically sensitive areas and land with high agricultural value.”
Once again, valid enough. However, now instead of some renewable power generation in Puerto Rico, the Sierra Club stopped progress on an energy transition project. Puerto Rico is sitting around 87% of power generation coming from fossil fuels.
What’s better for the environment of Puerto Rico in the long run?
They continue to lose sight of the forest for the trees.
Also the Sierra Club, an organization that exists “To explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth” shouldn’t be lobbying in labor rights issues. It muddies their actual goals.
All of their members can, and should, organize for those causes, but the larger organization and local chapters themselves shouldn’t.
Focus on the goal not the noise. Build bridges where and when you can. Someone doesn’t have to be “all-in” to be an ally.
/rant
I just so want causes like theirs to succeed. But to succeed you need to play to win.
I respect the ACLU in particular for that—for adhering to their organizing principle even when it means defending groups they’re otherwise ideologically opposed to.