Trump as President: Here’s How We Get Through This

by Annie Leonard

November 9, 2016

I never thought I’d have to write this. The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, has been devastating. He’s spent months threatening immigrants, women, people of color, Muslims, and the differently-abled community, among many others. This election will be hard news to process for a long time.

Election Vigil

2016 Election Result Vigil, 11/9/16.

There will be many people around the country today who are terrified for their safety and their future. Our hearts go out to you. Our first priority is to reinforce and re-commit ourselves to protecting and loving one another. Now more than ever, we need to be here for each other.

And we will continue to work with you and our many partners to fight for a country where everyone feels respected, valued and safe.

Hillary Clinton’s loss does not erase the value of the progressive movement.

Current figures show that she actually won the popular vote. This means that almost 50 million Americans, and perhaps many more who either couldn’t or didn’t vote, believed in something better. Fear may have won this election, but hope, action, and perseverance can overcome.

So I want to make a promise to you: Greenpeace is not going anywhere, and we are committed to continue building a movement that fights for environmental, social, racial, and economic justice. We are going to get through this — together.

There’s no question, Donald Trump’s climate denial is staggering.

Not only does he consider it a hoax, he wants to shut down the EPA, “cancel” the Paris Climate Agreement, stop funding clean energy research, and “drill, baby, drill.” But U.S. election results don’t change the science or the reality of climate change, so we will need to double down on finding solutions both at home and with allies around the world.

The climate movement is a global one. We are a broad community bound by courage, action, and optimism. If we join together, we can make our plans for a just transition to a renewable energy society possible even with a man who actively opposes progress for the human race in the White House. Together, we are stronger than he will ever be.

If you feel like you want to start today — and I’ve been amazed by the number of people that have already asked how they can help — here are some ideas:

  • Check in on your neighbors and friends, ask how they are doing, how you can support them
  • Write up a list of what skills you can contribute to the movement
  • Help make the most of Obama’s presidency: Plan to attend a solidarity action on November 15 for #NoDAPL.
  • Attend an organizing training
  • Make a donation to an organization or cause you care about
  • Use our Greenwire platform to find and connect with other activists in your community and organize with them (also great if you need to find support from like-minded people!)
Annie Leonard

By Annie Leonard

Annie Leonard is the co-Executive Director of Greenpeace USA. Leonard began her career at Greenpeace in 1988 and has returned to help the organization inspire and mobilize millions of people to take action to create a more sustainable future together. She is based in San Francisco.

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