Sierra Club today values equity, justice, and inclusion as
core principles. The Suncoast Group of the Sierra Club walked the walk for justice in
their community Monday as its members marched in St. Petersburg’s Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. Day Parade. Consistent with the parade’s theme to “Dream Big,” as Dr. King did, the Suncoast Group spread the message of “Clean Energy For All,” as they marched two miles to greet 40,000 along Central Ave.
Last year, Suncoast Sierra dreamed big. Its Ready for 100 campaign succeeded in getting the City of St. Petersburg to commit to moving completely
off all fossil fuels as the City adopted its Integrated Sustainability Action
Plan that combines climate action with action for a resilient coastal city.
Suncoast Sierra demonstrated that clean energy means more than just solar panels and
efficient buildings. Its parade contingent featured 4 Electric Vehicles (EVs): 2 Chevy Volts, a
Tesla Model S, and a 2012 Nissan Leaf purchased used for less than $10,000 showing how everyone can end their own use of oil today.
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| Future EV owners check out a Chevy Volt. Hopefully they'll be EV passengers soon! |
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| You can get an EV for >$10K! |
After the parade, the Suncoast Sierra members explained the benefits and affordability of EVs at the Family Fun Day event on the Tampa Bay Rays’ Tropicana Field lot. Suncoast Sierra leaders Lucinda & Howard Johnston raved about their new 2017 Volt.
Tom Krumreich of Sierra Club’s
FL Healthy Air Campaign explained how a used EV market has emerged in the past
year allowing clean, quiet cars to be priced competitively with
internal combustion cars and hybrids. Tom & the Johnstons were thrilled
with the high level of interest and excitement in their EVs.
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| Suncoast Sierra volunteer Jessica Lewis surveys new activists |
Suncoast Sierra has been reaching out to St. Petersburg’s diverse
community in recent years by marching in Pride parades and tabling at Pride
street festivals. The FL Healthy Air Campaign rolled in its 4th parade with EVs
drawing great interest from onlookers.
By sharing a
positive, fossil-free view for the future, Suncoast Sierra and the FL Healthy
Air Campaign are striving to include the entire community in the switch to Clean Energy for All.
-- Phil Compton, Senior Organizing Representative
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| Lucinda Johnston spins her Roulette Wheel for prize giveaways |
