John,
We are so excited to have you along for our “Make It Real” journey — a journey that takes you from the plains of South Dakota to big city Detroit and, finally, to the shores of South Florida. At each stop, we highlight a new community rising to the challenge of fighting climate change and protecting their lands from the pollution, smog and greenhouse gases threatening our planet.
Last month, we brought you the story of Indigenized Energy, the Native-led nonprofit empowering Indigenous communities by bringing renewable energy to their homes. This time we visit Detroit, a Dream.Org Transformative Community, where local partnerships are redefining the city’s industrial past and creating a pathway to a sustainable, green future. Across the city, environmental advocates, grassroots organizations, and local entrepreneurs are collaborating to foster a thriving community rooted in hope, resilience, and shared vision.
Detroit might be known for the legendary cars made for more than a century in its factories— factories and vehicles that, in part, have contributed to the pollution and emissions fueling today’s climate crisis. However, in the second installment of our three-part “Make it Real” photojournalism series — Detroit’s Equitable and Inclusive Solutions: Transformative Communities at Work — we spotlight a different narrative. This is the story of community activists driving change in the Motor City, working to combat climate change through innovative, localized solutions. From expanding clean energy to increasing energy efficiency, and improving access to clean transportation, these efforts are guided by the community's unique vision: a Detroit where environmental justice, economic opportunity, and sustainable living are not just ideals but realities, built by and for its people.
