Disappointed, Not Defeated/ Reflections on an Election That Could Shape Our Future
Disappointed, Not Defeated: Reflections on an Election That Could Shape Our Future
As environmental and social protections face uncertain times, I’m resolved to keep fighting for a sustainable world
The word “stunned” doesn’t capture how I feel this morning. I went to bed on election night feeling uneasy but still holding out hope that Vice President Kamala Harris would carry Pennsylvania and reinforce the Blue Wall in Wisconsin and Michigan. But this morning, I saw part of that Blue Wall crumble and Pennsylvania shifting in favor of former President Trump.
If President-elect Trump follows through on his promises, our country could soon become unrecognizable. Environmental regulations will be gutted, green energy initiatives sidelined, and climate change dismissed as a hoax. The consequences won’t just affect us today but will burden future generations.
What truly frightens me is that fossil fuel production will surge, accelerating climate change and intensifying the threat of a hotter, harsher world. We might not feel the burn ourselves, but our children and grandchildren will. And the environment won’t be the only casualty.
Workers’ rights, Social Security, and women’s rights stand to suffer immeasurably as well.
I can almost see the social and environmental dominoes falling. Forget about Ukraine and Palestine; they’ll be written off as lost causes. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NOAA, and possibly even the USGS were dismantled. And if Elon Musk is appointed Government Efficiency Czar, these agencies might be slashed without a second thought.
Maybe “stunned” isn’t quite right. Maybe what I’m feeling is an overwhelming wave of disappointment. The United States seems to have chosen to revert to the 1950s by electing someone who would steer us backward.
So what can I do? I’ll keep voting for the future I believe in, even if I’m a lone voice in a storm of chaos. I’ll stay committed to fighting for climate resilience and green infrastructure, pushing forward despite the odds.
I refuse to give up hope, even in the face of disappointment.
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