By Alliance President Terry Gips and Alliance Communications Coordinator Amy Durr
From its founding 41 years ago, the Alliance for Sustainability has continually highlighted sustainability solutions and the positive difference we can make in the world.
We’ve never wavered from our belief that personal and organizational transformation are essential, along with impactful public policy. Our individual actions matter, whether in our homes, workplaces, communities, shopping or polling booths.
Furthermore, when we act together we can change the world. We’ve dedicated our time and resources to building partnerships and alliances to make that a reality.
Are You Feeling Grief or Are You Mad as Hell?
Many of us are feeling deep sadness, grief, anxiety and hopelessness from the traumatic assault taking place in our country and the world — including catastrophic conflicts, climate chaos, staggering human rights abuses, autocratic and dictatorial regimes and threats to a sustainable future.
All of this is amplified by out-of-control, unregulated and toxic social media, which Alliance communications advisor Sarah Rivera says “feels like a bulldozer right now.” Facebook and Twitter used to be a happy place for many of us, and now makes us want to escape their depressing, polarizing and inciting claws.
Sadly, while the degree to which this is taking place is new, the problem has existed for decades. Take a minute to listen to this unforgettable, iconic scene from the 1976 Academy Award-winning film Network, during which infamous TV newscaster Howard Beale speaks live on the evening news in an unforgettable plea to his audience:
“I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell: ‘I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not gonna take this anymore!’“
From Sustainability Solutions to Speaking Out
Despite all of this, we’ll continue reminding you that sustainability solutions are flourishing, and many of them remain free or low cost. We can all reduce our energy use, save water and consume consciously, while sharing acts of kindness and experiencing awe to help heal our trauma.
We can also support two vital institutions – independent media and nonprofits – who are committed to telling the truth, even if it comes at a very high cost.
And, we still have the privilege and opportunity to make our voices heard by protesting, using social media, writing letters and OpEds, contacting elected officials and voting with our dollars and at the ballot box.
Now Is the Time for Artists to Go to Work – Be Heroes and Sheroes
Toni Morrison tells the story of a day of despair, and the encouragement she received from a fellow artist, “This is precisely the time when artists go to work…not when everything is fine, but in times of dread. That’s our job.” It’s our job as sustainability cheerleaders, environmentalists, peace promoters and social justice warriors, too.
As Maya Angelou reminds us, we each have the privilege of being a hero or shero in our actions every day. We can be the change that Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked us to be.