The Engaged Sierran
Jahdiel Torres Cabá; Yeb Saño, Philippines; and Mari Brunner at the 2013 Warsaw Conference |
Sierra Club Youth Ambassadors Attend UN Climate Talks
The New Hampshire Chapter is fortunate to count among our membership two exceptional young members who are determined to make a difference in the future of the world. Jahdiel Torres Cabá and Mari Brunner work with the youth chapter of the Sierra Club (Sierra Student Coalition) on the International Climate Campaign, which represents the voices of US youth at the UN Climate Talks. They believe that, as young people, they are uniquely positioned to advocate for climate justice and equity in the climate negotiations and international climate policy.
The UN Climate Talks were held in Lima, Perú, from December 1-12. This year, Mari was fortunate enough to attend. Our young members' delegation posted policy briefs & fact sheets about the climate negotiations in Lima. Last year both Mari and Jahdiel were able to represent the United States at the UN Climate Talks in Warsaw, Poland, so they are already familiar with the responsibilities involved. Mari and Jahdiel worked with youth from around the world and nongovernmental organizations to put pressure on negotiators to come up with strong climate action.
Mari graduated from Antioch University New England with a Masters of Science in Environmental Studies. Her area of concentration is Sustainable Development and Climate Change. and she continues to live and work in Keene. Mari was previously involved with the Sierra Club in Grand Rapids, Mich., and volunteered with inner-city outings in Detroit. In her current position as a selected and experienced candidate for the UN conference, she will be leading a sub-committee which will be arranging the logistics of the trip and organizing collaborations with other groups. Mari got involved with the International campaign because she believes a strong international agreement to reduce emissions is needed to address a problem as global and complex as climate change.
Jahdiel is from Puerto Rico, also graduating from Antioch as a Conservation Biologist. He has actively participated in several national and international committees, through the Sierra Student Coalition and the SC International Committee. He previously attended the UN conferences in Qatar and Poland. He was to be a member of the Logistics Committee for the Lima conference, but was unable to make the trip. He feels climate change is a global issue that must be addressed with a multidimensional approach that includes local, regional, national and international efforts, and his work with the Sierra Club will allow him to be a part of this effort.
Start the New Year with a Hike!
Join the NH Division of Parks & Recreation on their First Day Hikes, which provide individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors. These free organized hikes will be held on January 1 at three locations: Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion State Historic Site, Weeks State Park, and Monadnock State Park. One is even dog-friendly! Visit the Parks & Recreation website to register.
Chapter Budget Meeting and Discussion
WHAT: New Hampshire Sierra Club (NHSC) Chapter Budget and Finance Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, December 16, 3:30-5:30pm
WHERE: NHSC office at 40 North Main Street 2nd Floor, Concord
Details: NHSC will present the 2015 Chapter budget draft, as well as the potential to fund local grassroots environmental campaigns. There are many important environmental issues facing our state and we would like to hear from our Members and Supporters! If you have a campaign idea or think the Chapter could help, please let us know! Come to our meeting, or contact us at NHSC603@gmail.com or (603) 224-8222.
Holiday Gift Ideas Hunting for environmentally-friendly gift ideas? Look no further! Your New Hampshire Chapter has several gift ideas available.The 2015 Engagement Calendar (pictured) is the most popular nature calendar ever published, featuring stunning images of flora and fauna. Week-by-week format with 58 full-color photographs. Shrink-wrapped and spiral bound. $16.50 each. We have hats, water bottles, and backpacks for sale, too! Check out our flyer for details. To order, contact us at NHSC603@gmail.com or (603) 224-8222. Orders must be placed on or before December 19. The office will be closed from December 20-January 1. Each purchase from our office directly benefits your local New Hampshire Chapter. |
Report of the Political Committee on the 2014 Election
Results
By Jim Allmendinger, Political Committee Co-Chair
The New Hampshire Chapter’s Political Committee actively participated—on behalf of Chapter members—in the hotly contested 2015 state elections. The Committee follows set procedures for endorsing candidates, focusing on environmental issues like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and climate change. The committee then sends questionnaires to the candidates for the offices of Governor and Executive Council, and for the state House and Senate contests. Candidates must complete a questionnaire in order to be considered for Chapter endorsement. These are then reviewed by the Chapter Political Committee and given to the Executive Committee with recommendations. The ExCom has the responsibility for making the actual endorsements. This year, those endorsements were announced at a well-attended press conference in Concord on October 29.
Congressional endorsements are handled separately, because those endorsements require the approval of the national Sierra Club's political committee. The Chapter participated in 2015 endorsement events for each of the federal candidates: Sen. Shaheen, and Representatives Shea-Porter and Kuster. As you probably know, Sen. Shaheen and Rep. Kuster were re-elected, but not Rep. Shea-Porter.
In the state races, 40 of our endorsed candidates won, but 48 lost in the 2014 election. That reflects the mixed results at the State House, where Governor Hassan was re-elected, but both the Executive Council and the House went from Democratic majorities to Republican, and the Senate added another Republican to its majority. Although most of Chapter’s endorsed candidates were Democrats, we also endorsed Republican candidates and endeavor to be non-partisan, focusing on environmental issues, not political affiliations.
In addition to phone banking and canvassing on behalf of endorsed candidates, the committee also sent a statewide mailer to all members in support of the endorsed candidates. As always, we are doing our best to support environment-friendly candidates. It is hard work, but rewarding. If you are interested in volunteering, please let us know! Email NHSC603@gmail.com or call (603) 224-8222 if you'd like to volunteer on our political committee.
We know many of you volunteered your time and effort to support various candidates. Please share your experience - send us a picture or a brief description of your involvement (email NHSC603@gmail.com). It would be great to hear from you!
November-December 2014