Carl Pope

Carl Pope is recognized for his extensive career in environmental leadership, notably through his nearly four-decade tenure with the Sierra Club, the nation's largest grassroots environmental organization. Pope served as chairman and executive director of the Sierra Club for 18 years, contributing a total of 36 years to the organization. He began his environmental work in Washington, D.C., later becoming executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters. Pope played a key role in the Sierra Club's decision to engage in electoral politics. He is a graduate of Harvard College.

During his leadership at the Sierra Club, Pope oversaw major environmental campaigns that influenced American policy. Under his direction, the organization's membership and budget doubled. The Sierra Club led efforts to set aside more than 50 million acres of wild areas within the National Forest System and launched "Beyond Coal," a campaign that blocked more than 80 percent of proposed new coal-fired power plants and secured the retirement of over 200 existing U.S. coal-burning power plants. The organization also conducted a two-decade campaign for improved auto fuel efficiency and emissions standards, contributing to Congressional action on fuel efficiency and subsequent federal requirements for increased vehicle performance. Pope co-authored California's Proposition 65, which mandates warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.

Pope's coalition-building extended beyond traditional environmental circles. Alongside labor leader Leo Gerard, he announced the formation of the United Steelworkers and Sierra Club's Blue-Green Alliance, a coalition focused on clean energy, job creation, and public safety. He was a co-convener and founder of both the Apollo Alliance and the Blue-Green Alliance, which merged to become a major progressive coalition of labor and environmental organizations. As executive director, Pope also led efforts to enhance the Sierra Club's political effectiveness at the local level, developing a grassroots organizing model that influenced national political campaigns.

As an author and commentator, Pope has shared his environmental expertise through several books and articles. His first book, "Sahib: An American Misadventure in India," was published by Liveright. He later co-authored "Strategic Ignorance: Why the Bush Administration Is Recklessly Destroying a Century of Environmental Progress" with Paul Rauber. Pope and Michael Bloomberg co-authored the New York Times best-selling book, "Climate of Hope." Their collaboration highlights the role of cities, businesses, and citizens in addressing climate change.

After his tenure at the Sierra Club, Pope continued to contribute to climate and sustainability initiatives. He serves as vice chairman of America's Pledge and principal advisor at Inside Straight Strategies, focusing on the intersection of sustainability and economic development. Pope is also a senior climate advisor to Michael Bloomberg and a member of the US-India Track II Climate Diplomacy project of the Aspen Institute. He has contributed essays and commentary to newspapers and online platforms, advocating for evidence-based, locally informed environmental policy. Pope's engagement with diverse stakeholders, including labor unions, business leaders, and energy investors, positions him as a significant voice on climate, energy, and economic sustainability.