Nearly a week after the calamitous Presidential election results saddened, angered, and bewildered so many of us, resolve is emerging from despair, energy from anger, and vision from bewilderment.
This mental pivot was abundantly obvious at the annual Sierra Club California convention held in San Luis Obispo on November 12 and 13, which many participants left in a far more optimistic and determined mood than that prevailing on arrival. We heard Club president Aaron Mair testify to the power environmentalists can draw from partnership with labor and human rights organizations; we heard from newly elected Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes, whose upset victory over “Chevron Cheryl” Brown sent a reverberating message that Democrats do oil company bidding at their peril and earned the 2016 Environmental Hero Award; we heard from a group of young activists—some en route to Standing Rock—whose passion inspired us all; and we heard from, laughed with, and embraced each other.
There is no question that a Trump presidency will threaten much of inestimable value, from the Arctic refuge to the Paris climate accords, and that in many respects the dominant task over the next few years will be damage control. But let’s also remember:
- President Obama still has more than two months in office, and his pen still holds plenty of ink. To urge him to continue to use his powers to safeguard the environment, go back to the Redwood Chapter home page and add your name to the petition in the top right corner. By the way, although a president can make a national monument un-making one takes an act of Congress, meaning that Berryessa Snow Mountain is still permanently protected.
- The Senate can prevent many forms of destructive legislation by filibuster. Republican Senators have not hesitated to use this tool (especially during the first two years of President Obama’s term when he had a majority in both Houses of Congress), and the Democrats should not hesitate either.
- The Sierra Club and other environmental organizations are seeing a surge in membership, donations, and volunteers reminiscent of the days of James Watt in the early 1980s. Let's make the most of it.
- We are very fortunate to live in a state where more than 60 percent of the voters resoundingly rejected the Trump message of racism, misogyny and hatred, and right here in California we can still do a great deal to protect the planet AND make progress against climate disruption.
- There will be another federal election in two years, and another presidential election in four. In the meantime, check out executive director Michael Brune’s inspiring commentary.
by Victoria Brandon, Redwood Chapter Chair
