November 9th - 1:44 am
Tonight, I grieve. For the human habitability
of this planet. For those that don't fit into the white male demographic. For
women, for minorities, for first nations' peoples, for those at, or verging on,
refugee status. For decency, morality and social progress. Tomorrow, I'll
strategize what are the next best steps. But tonight, I grieve.
November 9th - 10:45 am
The symbolism that my environmental governance
class was canceled this morning is hitting a little to close to home.
I could end my message here, but this is not a
time for putting our heads down and cowering from the future.
Grief is necessary. America, as a nation, has
neglected to directly confront the genocides and oppression it has committed in
its founding. This threat of losing the white patriarchy of America and the
increasing struggles that white middle america faces, such as the feeling as if
there country was being taken away from them, were palpable in this election
cycle. This country has continued to evolve through the same freedoms sought in
its founding. When we retreat to these dark corners of hatred of the other and
not engage with people who come from different backgrounds, we grow more
polarized. We lose community. We lose empathy. We lose the incredible ability
to grow stronger through diversity and cultural acceptance. We need to work at
this. We ALL need to work at this.
Please remember, as we find our path, that we
have made social and global environmental progress (in treatments and accords,
not tangibly cutting emissions) under Obama's presidency. He has fought
cynicism and divisiveness throughout his terms. He is a symbol and a reminder
that rational and intelligent persons can lead this nation. He is also a
reminder that the fight for inclusivity, for improvement of social and
environmental progress, is not easy. Let us not let him down.
I read a NY Time Op-Ed this morning and one
part was particularly striking to me:
"Nothing
matters more than finding ways to accelerate the arrival of the day when more
Republicans do care."
This is from an article regarding climate
change and the state of the planet for future generations. However, this state
of caring needs to be extended from not just the environment, but towards the
human species. To be more socially and culturally inclusive in striving towards
equality: for all genders, LGBQT, and immigrants. This is a time to grow
community out of love and not hatred and not shrink from the monumental forces
that imperil us today. Continuing on the front of fighting social injustices
that threaten my friends and loved ones. Working to mitigate the effects of climate
change and having systems in place that threaten the people that are most
affected.
We just put a billionaire into office who
promises to get the money and corruption out of politics. Let us hold him
accountable. He wants to build infrastructure and create more jobs in this
country. Let us hold him accountable.
Let's ground ourselves in reality, as Trump
will be when he has to read all the briefings of political struggles he must
respond to throughout the world. Let us be thankful for the next ~6 weeks and
grow roots through compassion and loving kindness that cannot be displaced in
the peaceful transition of power.
November 9th - 9:45 pm
Step one among the many future fronts that need
to be actively fought against. These are battlegrounds that affect all the
biota, but this is not the appropriate method of appealing to the
president-elect.
Building renewable energy infrastructure and
working towards energy independence accomplishes both Trump's and America's
goals. If the money is truly going to be out of politics, then transitioning
towards energy independence is a logic that would make sense to Trump. It can
create jobs for the disenfranchised middle american working class, along with
fitting into the narrative that America will lead the way as a role model for
the world. Of course, this is a lot more complicated, but actively fighting
against his choice of Myron Ebell to "lead EPA transition" is a smart
first step.
November 10th - 8:45 am
The victims of social and ecological
disturbance face accelerated impacts, often exacerbating an already fragile
community. While I can speak to the pros of resilience theory and systems
thinking, now is a time of urgency, to reach out a hand and support, and to
step forward as leaders in times of uncertain transition.
This is a call for those trained or willing to
alleviate some of the harms of these socioecological disasters. It is now that
we must stand as allies, if it is in your power, for the targets or the
victims of these crises.
In western North Carolina, we are designated as
a temperate rainforest. We have suppressed fire for the the last century. In
2016, we have endured extreme drought conditions. As a result of the isolated
fires that have now spread to 10,000 acres, we've called for a fire ban in 35
counties. I hope the residents of the five counties affected have safely
evacuated and that this limitation is met humbly. This is the new normal. Let's
make assisting our neighbors the new normal too.
