By Alliance President Terry Gips
Are we seeing a hopeful return of light amidst the darkness?
I sense a positive, hopeful shift is finally taking place, reflected in the wake of the No Kings Protest and the recent elections. There is a rising tide of diverse voices from across the political spectrum speaking up and demanding a return to the rule of law and fundamental change.
The Alliance for Sustainability is playing a leading role in this shift through our innovative, empowering three-prong approach addressing the overall threats we face – from the climate and toxics crisis to the erosion of our democracy and fundamental rights – all of which must be confronted to co-create a world of sustainability, health, equity and kindness. This was reflected in our recent, uplifting Virtual Town Hall Forum.
Let us know what you think and if you agree, please join us and support our efforts during this season of giving. You can make a difference and your donation will be matched.
First, we’re creating a powerful alliance with national and Minnesota nonprofits, such as the MN Environmental Partnership. Together we have defended the many essential programs under attack and opposed the onslaught of overwhelming, dangerous policies. Although it’s been a challenge at the national level, we are having many victories at the state and local ones.
Second, we’re focusing our efforts on developing four exciting new Sustainability Partnerships that offer inspiring, impactful sustainability solutions that can not only tip the balance but transform our world:
- New Dawn Universal Power’s world-changing multi-rotor wind turbine providing the lowest cost, 24/7 baseload power of any energy system. It will play a key role in addressing the climate crisis and transform the world’s energy supply with clean, reliable green energy. It will also dramatically reduce bird and bat kills, avoid low-frequency noise and save 500 metric tons of CO2 per day vs. a 24 MW coal-fired power plant.
- Our Living River: Co-Creating a Thriving Mississippi – We’re partnering with Clean Water Action MN and other groups to spearhead an innovative approach to transforming the entire river. We’ll utilize a paddle wheel boat to connect with communities in the ten river states to learn, engage, educate and take action to protect the people and water from PFAS forever chemicals and other threats, build a safe, green economy and nurture a flourishing arts and music culture.
- Cooler Climate App for calculating a business or organization’s footprint and allowing it to become carbon-free in 60 minutes through existing permits – This breakthrough in technology – based on more than 20 years of Stanford, Yale and UC Berkeley research led by Dr. Michel Gelobter, Director of Yale’s Center for Environmental Justice – has been made by former Alliance Board member Charlie Crystle into a simple, cost-effective tool allowing a business or organization to be certified and have public documentation.
- Kindr Schools, Communities and Planet – Through our partnership with the Kindr Foundation, we supported the first Kindness Effect Summit in NYC last year. We have expanded our relationship to create an exciting collaboration combining our Akepa Youth & School Program with Kindr Schools, which has already reached more than 800,000 students across the country.
And third, we are supporting you in thriving and having justified hope we can turn things around while quelling the widespread uncivil wars we’re facing everywhere. We continue to feature the inspiring stories of people and groups in our Transformative Sustainability newsletter, Substack, social media, Op-Eds and presentations. We’re also highlighting positive breakthroughs while not shunning the sobering realities. And we balance them with humor, joy and even awe, plus sustainability tips that can make your life better while saving money.
It’s your support that has allowed us to create these transformative initiatives and partnerships. With your additional support, you can play a key role in making them a reality.
Let’s co-create a world of sustainability, health, equity and kindness through your matched Give to the Max donation this week powered by GiveMN.