URGENT UPDATE: The Sierra Club, the largest grassroots environmental organization in the U.S., is in crisis mode as it grapples with a staggering 60% drop in membership since 2019. The organization is facing a projected budget deficit of $40 million amid internal turmoil and leadership changes.
Reports confirm that the Sierra Club has seen its ranks shrink from 4 million members to just 1.5 million. This alarming decline comes at a critical juncture as environmental protections are increasingly threatened by the Trump administration, which is returning to power with a more aggressive agenda. The club’s political contributions have also dwindled—down to zero as the 2024 election approaches, compared to $3.6 million donated during the push to defeat Trump in 2020.
The internal chaos peaked with the recent ouster of Ben Jealous, the club’s first Black executive director, who was terminated in July after accusations of financial mismanagement and a toxic work environment. Jealous’s tenure, marked by three rounds of layoffs affecting at least 80 staff members, failed to stabilize the organization, leading to a culture of fear and distrust among volunteers and employees.
In a stark letter to leadership, a group of managers described the Sierra Club as being in a “downward spiral,” attributing its struggles to a shift in focus from environmental issues to broader social justice causes. While leaders defend this pivot, asserting the need for a diverse movement, many longtime supporters feel alienated and accuse the organization of losing its core mission of environmental protection.
The club’s attempt to broaden its scope has resulted in significant backlash. A 2020 survey revealed that while members supported racial justice, they prioritized climate change as their top concern. Over half expressed worry that the club’s social justice focus detracted from its environmental mission.
The organization is at a crossroads, facing external challenges from the Trump administration while grappling with self-inflicted wounds. As it seeks to rebuild, the Sierra Club’s current leaders must address its financial and membership crises urgently.
Looking ahead, the Sierra Club plans to refocus its efforts, but internal factions and the fallout from previous decisions continue to complicate its path forward. Members and supporters are left questioning the future of an organization that once led critical environmental campaigns, including the highly successful “Beyond Coal” initiative.
With the political landscape shifting rapidly, the Sierra Club’s next moves will be crucial in determining its survival and effectiveness in the fight for environmental justice. Keep an eye on this developing story as it unfolds.
