As 2020 draws to a close, I think it’s safe to say this has been an incredibly tough year, one filled with heartbreak and painful reckonings over how we treat each other and our living world.
In this year of more downs than ups, it’s been easy to focus on the bad and lose sight of all the good that has happened during this time as well. For starters, this year has shown us that it is indeed possible for entire societies to change their lifestyles drastically almost overnight. Just think what that means in terms of our ability to ratchet up climate action!
Personally, my spirits lift every time I see everyday people stepping up, taking action, demonstrating how extraordinarily resilient we humans can be. Even in trying times, there are people doing what is right and beautiful. As climate scientist Kate Marvel said so fittingly: “Courage is the resolve to do well without the assurance of a happy ending.”
That’s exactly what we choose to do every day at the Journal with the issues we cover and the opinions we make space for. Earth Island Journal is committed to uplifting stories that often go unheard. Of course, this means speaking truth to power. But it also means centering the voices of frontline communities. It means examining how climate dangers are deeply intertwined with other issues like public health, inequity, and racism.
That means more stories like The Battle for Greater Chaco, which highlights how Native American communities are battling more fossil fuel development in northwestern New Mexico.
And more interviews with people like Catherine Coleman Flowers, who works at the intersection of rural poverty, race, and environment. Coleman Flowers' work shows that you can affect big changes in the world even if you start with your neighborhood.
And continuing to recognize young people who are doing tremendous work, who are our future leaders. This November, for instance, Chloe Maxmin, a 2013 Brower Youth Award winner, ran for Maine’s State Senate supporting a Green New Deal — and defeated the incumbent in a strong GOP district.
The challenges we face are real and big, but we can’t allow them to overwhelm us. The world isn’t beyond recovery. But it does need us to muster the courage to keep pressing on. The good news is that multitudes of brave souls are doing just that.
Because you value independent journalism, and uplifting stories like these, I’m asking you to please support us today with a donation of any amount.
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