President โ€“ Elect Donald Trump has nominated some of the worst cabinet appointees in history! ย His nominee for Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, the former Governor of Texas and two time Presidential candidate, promised to eliminate the Department of Energy during the 2012 Presidential Primary campaign and is a climate change skeptic.ย  His nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency has sued the EPA for doing its job and wants to eliminate it or make it a powerless shell.ย  His nominee for Secretary of State is the CEO of Exxon Mobil and was a climate change skeptic until very recently.

What does this mean for the environmental movement going forward?ย  First of all, as far a Green City Challenge is concerned, we will continue doing what we are doing.ย  Our mission is to educate New Yorkers about ways to live, work and eat green.ย  It doesnโ€™t matter who the President is.ย  Our work continues regardless.

As far as the environmental movement in general is concerned, that is a different story entirely!

Environmentalists are in panic mode.ย  Based on what Mr. Trump said during the election season and his cabinet nominees, the environmental picture looks very bleak indeed!ย  However, we have to keep fighting for what we believe.ย  We know there will be many legal and legislative battles ahead so we have to get ready.ย  If you are not personally involved with any environmental organizations, this would be a good time to join one.ย  It doesnโ€™t matter what organization you join, but find at least one to join and volunteer, donate, and do something!

There are many national organizations to choose from including the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Audubon, etc.ย  If you want to find a local organization to get involved with, you might consider Clearwater, the New York Restoration Project (founded by Bette Midler), Solar One, The Lower East Side Ecology Center, Green Home NYC and of course, Green City Challenge.

It goes without saying that if you would like to get involved with Green City Challenge, your assistance would be very welcome!ย  We are looking for new board members with fundraising, marketing or governance experience.ย  In addition, we are looking for volunteers to help us raise funds, create new games and challenges, conduct outreach, write articles for our blog, etc.ย  To inquire about volunteer opportunities, please call Les Judd at 718-530-5074 or send an e-mail to les@greencitychallenge.org

Whatever you do in 2017, hang onto your hat because itโ€™s going to be a bumpy ride!