By the time you read this post, you probably can’t stomach another election piece.

I’ve attempted publishing and deleted 2-3 versions of this post already. I couldn’t formulate words.

The election results felt heavy. Like so many others, I was shocked, appalled, fearful for what this meant for so many of our fellow Americans. This heaviness hasn’t yet dissipated: about how the nation could elect someone who has said hateful and fear-mongering results that targeted minorities and women.

This won’t be a post to repeat all the links on your Facebook feed.

What I don’t know

I can’t help but feel uneasy about the future. There’s a lot to comprehend and fear for our environmental progress.

I’m unsure what the future holds for my friends who are minorities, targeted by hateful words – both by the “president-elect” during the campaign and hate crimes over the past week.

I’m unsure what the future holds for my friends who are sexual assault survivors, as the ‘president-elect” bragged about unwanted advances towards women. He was accused of sexual assault by 12 women.

I’m unsure what the future holds, working harder as a woman to advance my career, yet be outshined by men due to my gender.

I’m unsure what the future holds for sustainability, with a “president-elect” who called climate change a hoax and is rumored to appoint climate deniers in key environmental positions.

I’m unsure what the future holds as an individual entrepreneur, dependent on universal health care after being denied previously due to a pre-existing condition.

Overall: living in a nation where a president-elect that say grotesque things that would get him fired from the Today Show, but was elected as our Commander-In-Chief is something I still can’t reconcile.

What I do know

Regardless of how these events unfolded, I’m slowly regaining new optimism.

That doesn’t mean we have to “just get over it” and accept the status quo. After all, if we accepted status quo, no progress would ever be made.

Peaceful protesters have made me confident that people are willing to fight for values they believe. Our Philadelphia Mayor even showed his support, and local representative encouraged continued protests.

“Get a good pair of walking shoes. Because you’ll be doing a lot of protesting over the next few years.” @RepMcCarter

— Green Philly Blog (@greenphillyblog) November 18, 2016

I’m optimistic about the momentum building, both online and off, to take action. One local woman created Make It Right PHL, where individuals can connect with organizations associated with causes.

I’m optimistic that private businesses, nonprofits, civic, individuals and many partnerships will make strides for sustainability due to the health, community and financial benefits — not what the EPA dictates in the future.

What Now?

I’ve taken the past week or so to consider not only what we can do as a city, but what we can do with the Green Philly #squad. We’re lucky to have loyal readers who have supported us throughout the years, and thoughtfully provide feedback via email, social media, and IRL.

For the past eight years, we’ve been dedicated to helping you live a more sustainable lifestyle. We created SustainPHL to honor those who are working towards a sustainable future and inspire others to get involved.

We’ve decided to hold ourselves accountable because we need to be participants of progress. We won’t sit and watch environmental changes revert backward.

We’re dedicated to serving you better online, to bring you important sustainability news and increase our coverage. We’ll also search for stories about policies that affect you directly. We’ll provide more resources where possible.

We’re dedicated to continuing our offline events, increasing ways to allow you to interact and grow together. As we begin to plan SustainPHL 2017, we’ll think of ways to serve you throughout the year.

Do you have an idea? Want to help move our vision forward?

We created this short survey to collect feedback so we can ultimately serve you better. Please take a few minutes to fill it out. Based on feedback, we’ll provide opportunities to get involved in the city.

Even though I don’t know what the future holds – nationally or locally – I can promise you this: We’ve only begun.

Thank you for everything you do, and all the ways you help make Philly a more sustainable city.

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Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake. View all posts by Julie Hancher