The Sierra Club’s Environmental Initiatives in Ohio

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The Sierra Club is promoting the use of electric cars in North East Ohio and urging mayors to commit to renewable energy with two recent initiatives.

The club partnered with Drive Electric Northeast Ohio, an organization educating on and promoting the use of electric vehicles. The partnership focuses on hosting electric car shows, “ride & drive” events and educational lectures on the topic.

“I am kinda thinking that there’s a good shot that the electric cars are gonna be the way it’s done and quickly,” said Tom Collins, a very active Sierra Club member. “Way quicker than most people think.”

Collins is heading the Akron efforts for the Drive Electric campaign.

In addition to the Drive Electric partnership, The Sierra Club is pushing the Ready for 100 campaign.

This nationwide campaign, The Sierra Club’s website states, “is committed to a transition to 100% clean, renewable and just energy for all communities.”

The campaign urges citizens all across the country to encourage their mayors to commit to this change.

Jocelyn Travis, the Ready for 100 campaign coordinator, said The Sierra Club is focusing on Cleveland because it’s a challenge. Cleveland residents struggle with health challenges related to environmental concerns, such as high asthma rates.

The Sierra Club’s website states Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and Maple Heights Mayor Annette M. Blackwell have both pledged support for a community wide transition. Travis is working with the Cleveland community to spread awareness about clean energy. She’s hoping that, by focusing the campaign’s energy on educating the public, the mayor will feel inclined to commit.

The campaign has hosted events on both the East and West side where residents came and learned about the benefits of clean energy.

The campaign is planning another event for June 2 at the Sierra Club office in Columbus. Travis said Ohio representatives will come out for training on the Ready 4 100 campaign so they can then convince their mayors to get on board.

“We’ve got to do everything we can to save our planet and that’s not going to happen unless we set some goals and really engage the total community in that effort,” Travis said.