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How do we face — and move forward — in 2026?
If you’re working to build a just world, where everyone has enough, the air and water are clean, and the climate is stable, it’s not an abstract question.
And if you’re an American, watching what’s being done in our name, things can feel heavy already.
The year has opened with real disruption and danger. U.S. power is being exercised aggressively. And no matter whatever else the takeover of Venezuela is about, it is most certainly focused on oil.
U.S. energy and climate policy are swinging even harder toward fossil fuels. The administration is fighting the clean-economy transition and trying to slow climate action everywhere.
I’ve tried to be a voice of optimism over the last year, sharing the real progress on clean energy, technology and innovation. But optimism without realism isn’t helpful.
2025 wasn’t easy for the sustainability world. The movement didn’t die (see my year-end wrap up post below)…but the work got harder, and likely won’t get easier any time soon.
I don’t have all the answers, but I do know this: we can’t numb ourselves to things that should horrify us. And yet we can’t let outrage stop steady, effective action. We have to balance day-to-day work with the larger picture.
This means telling the truth, at least to those close to us (at home AND work), and sometimes publicly when we can. It means remembering that speaking up is easier, and works a lot better, if we don’t go it alone.
So how do we face and move forward now?
Together.
Onward!
[Image: iStock, antrey]
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