In November the Sierra Club National Board of Directors passed an Iraq/Energy Security Resolution. Club President, Jennifer Ferenstein paraphrases the club policy on the Iraq conflict this way:

1. We are opposed to unilateral military action.
2. We support the UN process.
3. We seek peaceful resolution.
4. There are dire environmental consequences associated with war.
5. The US must decrease its dependency on oil (through renewables, conservation, efficiencies) because of the negative environmental effects, i.e., global climate change, pollution, habitat destruction associated with oil dependency.

The Club resolution emphasizes that continued dependence on oil and other fossil fuels is a significant de-stabilizing influence in international affairs, and reaffirms the Club's urgent call for the US to move to a clean energy economy, greater efficiency, and use of renewable sources of energy.

The following (excerpted from a December press release) announced Sierra Club's participation in the Win Without War coalition dedicated to support of a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq:

Major Religious, Civic and Environmental Leaders Launch National Coalition Opposing Bush War Plan

Win Without War Challenges Bush Preemption of Peace Process

WASHINGTON - The Sierra Club and leaders of other influential civic, environmental and faith organizations today announced the creation of a new coalition in support of a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the crisis in Iraq. The new group, Win Without War, represents millions of Americans and seeks to prevent bloodshed and loss of life on all sides by slowing the Bush Administration's apparent rush to war so that U.N. Arms Inspectors have time to carry out their mission.

Representatives from the National Council of Churches (NCC), the NAACP, National Organization for Women (NOW), Sierra Club, Working Assets and MoveOn.org lent support from their various organizations to the peace effort.

"By reducing our dependency on oil, the U.S. can increase our national security and reduce the threat of war, as well as clean up our air and curb global warming," said Larry Fahn, Sierra Club Vice President. "Our country has the know-how to cut our dependence on oil by using energy efficiency, modern technology, and renewable power. Because war has dire environmental and social impacts, the Sierra Club urges the U.S. to let the United Nations inspectors do their job so the parties can resolve the Iraq issue peacefully."

To read the full text of press release and full text of Sierra Club Resolution on Iraq Conflict visit our website: http://redwood.sierraclub.org.