what's new..

Have a question about an Austin Sierra Club conservation issue? Specific issue contacts are listed further down this page. If you have a general question, contact the Conservation Chair:

Terry Moore...............

For a much more extensive list of Austin Sierra Club contacts, follow this link: OFFICERS and CHAIRS

In the current Austin Sierran newsletter, Conservation Chair Terry Moore writes about current local environmental campaigns and concerns directly impacting our neighborhoods and the community. Find out what you can do to make sure we are permitted to monitor, voice our concerns, and influence issues that affect our environment, health, and well being. Follow this link to the on-line version of the newsletter, then go to the CONSERVATION COLUMN.

Earthday is coming and the need to make ours a better, greener, safer and more energy-efficient planet is an even more important commitment. Find out how you can build the momentum of Earthday and do your part to bring about a better and greener American future. Follow this link for more info: WE CAN DO IT

The Fox in the Greenhouse
A grassroots coalition of environmental, religious, and activist groups has launched a campaign to expose the Fox network's skewed and inaccurate coverage of global warming. The campaign, led by the Sierra Club, Brave New Films, and MoveOn.org Civic Action, includes a YouTube video called Fox Attacks: The Environment that exposes Fox's pattern of misinformation, and an online petition.

See for yourself what they've been saying on Fox -- it would be funny if it weren't so infuriating.

What can you do about it? Plenty, as it turns out. One of Fox's major advertisers, Home Depot, is a company that says it cares about the environment. That's why we're petitioning them to pull their ads.

You can help by contacting your local Home Depot and asking them to cancel their ads on Fox.

• Texas Water Matters
• City of Austin Water Conservation
• Austin Lawn Watering Schedule

The Sierra Club INSIDER is an on-line publication that keeps subscribers informed of the Club's efforts to defend the environment nation-wide. The December issue discusses several critical priorities and takes a look at an imaginary meeting between George Bush and John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club. Follow this link to view an on-line copy of the December issue: INSIDER

John Muir and George W. Bush can never see eye to eye -- or can they? When cartoonist Mark Fiore follows everyone's favorite wilderness odd couple to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the President seems to develop newfound respect for the Refuge and its inhabitants. See what happens in the latest episode of "Camping with George."

Understanding the history of the City of Austin's passionate defense of Barton Springs and the surrounding watersheds is critical to understanding what Austin, Texas is about. The Springs are a symbol, a rallying point and a source of lifeblood - water. In Texas, this is no trivial matter. Many analysts predict that the value of water will exceed the value of oil in the next millenium and that a lack of pure and reliable water in this part of the country will determine who lives where and how they live. The exchange below provides insight into some of the issues Austin faces in its struggle to balance development with conservation, preservation and protection of this incredibly valuable resource. Darly Slusher points out how far we have come; Bill Bunch points out why we have not come far enough yet.

Already a subscriber to the Sierra Club INSIDER newsletter? Tell a friend about how they can get a monthly email and become one too: TELL A FRIEND

Protecting Barton Springs - A Response - Bill Bunch

Worried about World Population?
You should be. Don't look now, but the Earth is already home to more than 6.7 billion people -- and growing. What can we do about it? The Sierra Club's Global Population and Environment Program supports global health initiatives that ensure healthier communities, help curb global warming, and protect our planet.

Find out what you can do to promote solutions to climate change that advance sustainable development and family-planning initiatives worldwide.

You are already a part of the problem; now be a part of the solution.

Congress is gearing up to vote on legislation that could put America on the path toward energy independence and a cleaner energy future. Unfortunately, vital provisions that would drive meaningful new energy policy -- increases in fuel economy (CAFE) standards and a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) -- are missing from energy bills sent to Speaker Pelosi by several House committees.

Tell your Representative to support CAFE and a national RES to fight global warming and cut America’s dependence on old dirty sources of energy.

Follow this link to send a message to Congress telling them you support The Markey-Platts fuel economy reform act and higher CAFE standards for vehicles: SPEAK OUT

Interested in alternative energy choices? Here is a link to a blog on the topic: Blogspot

Use the table below and to the right to locate an issue that concerns you and contact the Austin Sierra Club activist involved in that issue.

Transportation issues

• Dick Kallerman .....444-1326 or cedartex@aol.com

Longhorn pipeline

• Karin Ascot .....443-1135 or karin.ascot@earthlink.net

Water quality

• Norman Johns..... 451-4690 or johns@nwk.org