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Piedmont Group of the Sierra Club
Environmental Agenda for 2008

"Better Piedmont communities through respect for the environment."

Climate Protection/Air Quality - Foster local government commitments to climate and air quality protection programs (including U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement & "Cool Counties"). Educate the public regarding steps individuals can take to reduce their carbon footprint.
Examine and report on data from the new air monitoring station in Albemarle County.

Energy - Promote energy conservation and efficiency, renewable sources of energy and recycling. Oppose new regional nuclear power plants (North Anna) and coal-fueled power plants (Wise County).

Transportation - Encourage alternatives to the single-rider automobile (walking, bicycles, car pooling, public transit). Oppose new roads such as the Meadowcreek Parkway and Eastern Connector that will intersect public parks.

Growth/Sprawl - Support study of limits to human population growth (including ASAP study of optimum sustainable population size). Support land use planning tools that protect open spaces (including clustering of residential development in rural areas).

Water Quality - Protect our local drinking water supply. Support stream buffering. Oppose factory farming, a major cause of water pollution.

Biological Resources - Preserve native species and ecosystems. Seek local government recognition of biological resource conservation areas and establishment of protection programs (including conservation easements). Oppose the use of pesticides in the Shenandoah National Park.

Agriculture - Encourage sustainable production of healthful foods (including organic agriculture). Educate the public on the true costs of foods. Promote direct marketing of local agricultural products. Support preservation of farmland in the Piedmont. Oppose policies that discriminate against small farmers.

Education/Activism - Promote understanding of sustainable lifestyles. Foster skillful participation by members and other environmentalists in local government decision-making processes. Alert activists about important environmental issues as they come before government decision makers.

Environmental Justice - Advocate for equitable treatment of all people in environmental decision-making. Support creation of affordable housing.

Healthy Communities - Support the use of integrated pest management (IPM) in public and private buildings. Discourage unnecessary use of pesticides.

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