What Came Before You Will Fuel Your Fight

An inspirational weekend watch

Dorothy Gibbs, a 97-year-old park volunteer, showed up to protest at Rocky Mountain National Park last Saturday. She told reporters it was personal, that she and her family had contributed to the park since she was a child, and that visitors just couldn’t experience the park without its vital funding and park rangers.

“We can’t bear it,” she said.

Knowing the path our environmental advocates have forged over the last century, I couldn’t help but think of what an insult all of this undoing must mean to her.

The Environmental Movement in America has, over time, been one of the most powerful and wide-reaching in our history. It has shifted from its focus to include wildlife conservation, pollution reduction and cleanup, racial justice, climate change prevention, and globalism. It has challenged traditional power structures and lifted up local knowledge.

The fight for environmental rights reveals truths that resonate throughout the country. It is connected to the land, water and sky. It is brave and wild.

So, as we continue to protest Trump’s actions against our environment, let’s remember these beginnings.

I highly recommend you check out the 2012 PBS film A Fierce Green Fire. The documentary gives a beautiful introduction to environmental activism in the US, and it reminds us that if we keep our passionate, innovative opposition going we can win some mighty big battles.

Keep up the fight, and keep your fire burning bright.

With love and hope for the future,

Stephanie

Let’s talk about it! Watch the movie and share what stood out to you.