Dear Friend of the Journal,

As this year draws to a close, I’ve been noticing how many people are tired, sad, and anxious about what the next four years will bring. I share these feelings, too. It’s going to be hard. Many of us who have been fighting the good fight for the planet and its people for decades feel weary at the prospect of dealing with a second Trump administration.

But here’s the thing: Autocrats thrive on fear and exhaustion. If we give in now, they win. We’ve fought too hard for too long to throw in the towel. We owe it to ourselves and our fellow beings to keep moving forward, to continue watchdogging those in power, even when the future seems bleak. Which is why during these next few weeks, it’s important to rest, regroup, and support one another.

That’s what we will be doing at the Journal during our holiday break. After that, we will get back to the job of holding those in power accountable and lifting up the voices of communities and visionaries who show us other, more harmonious ways of being.

Legacy media — which still refuses to take a strong, consistent stand for democracy over authoritarianism — is clearly failing us.

In trying times like these, we need independent publications like Earth Island Journal that don’t shy away from calling out the bullies, be they powerful presidents or corporate entities. I hope we can count on you to help us keep at it.

Today, we reaffirm our commitment to have your back in 2025 and beyond. Here’s how:

• We publish and defend the truth: Our job is to marshal the facts to make a passionate argument for defending Earth. Truth is a fundamental tenet of a democratic society, especially when people use the airwaves to obfuscate, dissemble, and divide. Truth keeps us connected as people with shared values and goals.

• Our stories help you find your lane: Opposing authoritarians is risky, but as the old saying goes, “many hands make light work.” The fight for the planet has many opportunities for action, from taking to the streets, to writing your representatives, to pushing for change at the local level. We bring you inspiring stories and avenues for engagement from across the environmental movement, so you can decide where you can have the biggest impact.

• We put people first: Environmental issues and social justice cannot be untangled from one another. The Journal always goes the extra mile to uncover and share perspectives that show how real people are standing up to defend their communities from the sprawling threats of climate disruption, pollution, authoritarianism, and more.

More than ever before, Big Tech is stifling access to quality journalism. Instead of supporting community discourse and an informed populace, big social media companies reward peddlers of disinformation and propaganda.

On our website, people can access fact-based, trustworthy journalism they need, regardless of their ability to buy a subscription. Being a mission-driven nonprofit means we can publish our articles without a paywall.

This would not be possible without generous readers like you.

Thank you for your support,