Today, we are not only in the fight of our lives; we are in a fight for our lives. Just look at the fires in Los Angeles, or the massive flooding throughout Appalachia just a few months ago. Let me be clear: These disasters, and others like them, are a direct product of the climate crisis. And the death and destruction continue for one reason: to make corporate polluters rich.
Despite everything stacked against us, the people will triumph.
During the first Trump administration, we found ways to accelerate progress in key areas. We shut down more coal plants in those four years than we did during either of President Obama's terms. When the first Trump administration attacked our bedrock environmental protections, we sued them—and successfully stopped them over and over.
Now, we must protect our progress: Unprecedented investments in clean energy jobs, public health, and our communities. Hundreds of millions of acres of protected public lands and waters. And a growing economy with good, safe, well-paying green jobs.
We won't just defend these wins—we'll double down on them.
I would be remiss not to acknowledge Trump has been sworn in on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The contrast between the visions held by these two men is stark. But this moment has reminded me of something Dr. King would tell his lieutenants: if you are comfortable in your coalition, then it is too small.
The next four years will not be easy. But politicians come and go—whether they want to or not. Movements, on the other hand, maintain the march of progress. And this movement—our movement—is built to last.
In solidarity,
Ben Jealous
Executive Director, Sierra Club
