We Can Do This Together

Details: Published on Thursday, 17 November 2016 17:15; Written by editor

Dear PAOV,

Over the last week we have heard from many of you that you are struggling to find hope in an increasingly fear based world. Given that climate change was not a prominent dialogue in the election and now is being questioned as a hoax, it is easy to lose hope when we have come so far.

Since the day of the election I have been traveling. From Georgia to Massachusetts, I have visited Living Buildings and met project teams working to make Living Buildings a reality in both red and blue states. I have listened to the hopeful stories from the people connected to this work—how the textile industry is being transformed by the removal of red list chemicals, how the sub-contractors working on a Living Building want to eat their lunch inside because the toxic fumes they typically work with are non-existent, and how ex-coal miners revised their careers to install the 4MW solar array at Hampshire College.

The people that I have had the honor to be with over the last week have an immense amount of genius and courage. They have built momentum and they have transformed lives, creating a community of hope rooted in a shared vision. And their tenacity and positivity around creating a Living Future will continue, fueling forward the momentum our hard work has built. Together—with the pride people are placing in these new, regenerative places and the continuation of our passion—we will build a Living Future for everyone.

I’m looking forward to hearing Van Jones speak about genius and courage at the Living Future unConference this coming May. He—and our collective work— gives me hope that our momentum will not wane. In this struggle there is an opportunity to find genius and courage in our own lives and take daily actions toward that goal.

I know we can do this together.

Sincerely,
Amanda