Why I No Longer Support The Sierra Club.
I used to be a big supporter of The Sierra Club - we gave them money every year, we received their magazines, we signed their petitions. But that all stopped not too long ago when I heard that they were endorsing Clorox’s new line of “non-toxic” cleaners…supposedly in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money. Clorox has a long history of making incredibly toxic chemicals, damaging the environment, and continuing to test their products on animals while the rest of the world moves away from the practice. This is what The Sierra Club has come to stand for and endorse? Seems I am not the only one fed up with this blatant hypocrisy by a supposedly “green” organization. From PR Watch:
In an unprecedented move by one of the Big Green environmental groups, the “Sierra Club’s national board voted March 25 to remove the leaders of the Club’s 35,000-member Florida chapter, and to suspend the Chapter for four years.” What did the chapter do? According to Peter Montague, it was “highly critical of the national board’s decision in mid-December 2007 to allow The Clorox Company to use the Sierra’s Club’s name and logo to market a new line of non-chlorinated cleaning products called ‘Green Works.’ In return, Clorox Company will pay Sierra Club an undisclosed fee, based partly on product sales.” When grass-roots members pointed out that Clorox was fined $95,000 for violating U.S. pesticide laws just as the deal with the Club was being brokered, staffer Johanna O’Kelley dismissed Clorox’s culpability, saying their violation was “a technicality.”
There are plenty of real natural cleaners made by independent, smaller companies that A. actually care about the environment and B. do not test on animals. How about Seventh Generation, Method, Ecover, Ed Begley, etc? Oh how nice it would have been if they could have endorsed one of these companies…but that probably wouldn’t have gotten them such a big influx of cash for their coffers.
This is from a blog post I came across that I found very telling - “What we are watching is perhaps the final chapter of the conversion of the Sierra Club ‑ on a national level ‑ from an activists driven organization to a corporate driven organization where the interest of the Sierra Club as a corporation invariably trumps the interest of the Sierra Club as an activists’ organization.”
The Sierra Club obviously no longer cares about the environment - it’s all about greenwashing the consumer in exchange for corporate money, so I can no longer support any of their efforts. I know one person doesn’t make that big a difference to their bottom line, but I would love to somehow find out how many people stopped being members once this news came out. I stopped using Burt’s Bees products when Clorox bought them, so it is only right I stop supporting The Sierra Club now. How can anyone trust anything they endorse from here on out?
John Muir is rolling in his grave as I write this.
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11 Comments, Comment or Ping
Ayala
I just found your blog and am looking forward to exploring and reading more. I have been struggling with my membership in the Sierra Club ever since this announcement was made. You describe my conflict exactly… This was a real dissapointment to me…
May 7th, 2008
Steven H.
I totally agree, we stopped supporting them too. There are lots of other orgs to support that don’t do that kind of crap. Thanks for the post.
May 7th, 2008
heather in PDX
another “me too” — My membership lapsed in 2007, and I had postponed renewing for financial reasons. It’s no longer on my list to re-up when the finances settle.
fyi, I’ve been happy with Dr. Bronner/ Sun Dog lip balm since I had to say good bye to Burt. http://www.drbronnersundog.com
May 7th, 2008
Ashley Sue
Oh my gosh, you are the first I hear saying what I feel! THANK YOU! I agree, Sierra sold their souls, and it bites.
May 7th, 2008
david
Glad to hear I am not alone!
May 7th, 2008
Tim Hurst
I am fascinated by all your remarks about losing interest in Sierra Club - you all are not alone!
The Sierra Club has basically become the case study of how NOT to do it. How not to run an advocacy campaign; how not to communicate with membership; how not to organize and mobilize effectively, etc. The organization has become too top-heavy and hierarchical in structure. And they have become increasingly out of touch with their “members” - who don’t really feel much like members any more except for the mug, tote-bag, and 37-page glossy mags you end up with now and again.
It is sad really, but hopefully it is something other orgs. will learn from.
May 7th, 2008
david
That is what I am hoping Tim!
May 8th, 2008
Frank
I never had any interest in them after they sent me a packet chock-full of un-asked-for “Goodies”, (window clings, keyboard stickers, magnets, keychain, postcards, etc… OK Maybe not ALL that, but still, a lot of stuff) and then a few weeks later, sent me ANOTHER!
Probably half a pound of paper, in all, in a request to SAVE A FOREST! I just shook my head and wondered how much unsolicited paper they sent to people all over the country, in their attempt to save trees!
I know fundraising is important, but a minimal, postcard-sized mailer could have gotten out the same message. Environmentalists, for the most part, are sensitive about this kind of thing.
May 8th, 2008
david
That too Frank - how can you be an environmental organization and send me magazines, bags, newsletters, stickers, etc? Its nuts!
May 8th, 2008
Allie
Wow. That’s really disappointing.
May 11th, 2008
CindyW
Wow. Thanks for the post. I have not kept up with the whole Sierra Club endorsement thing. We have been supporters of the organization and read their opinion when it comes to voting matters too.
I’d like to read more about their corporation “sponsorship”/connection. This is quite disappointing.
May 12th, 2008
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