Opinion

A letter from our Editor & Co-Founder

Reflections on the election results

There’s no way around it – we’re all feeling the devastating impacts of the election results. Whether you’re feeling sadness, anger, anxiety, doubt, uncertainty, or a mix of the above, take the time you need to process these emotions.

Climate change is the biggest challenge of our lifetime. 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record. A second Trump term will likely devastate climate efforts, increasing fossil fuel development, slashing pollution regulations, and harming the lands we love.

Green Philly started as a way to empower you to take sustainable actions. It was born out of passion and hope and has grown into a community of changemakers, advocates, and sustainability leaders. Over the past 16 years, Green Philly has persevered, despite funding challenges facing local news, thanks to our community and the hundreds who embrace the fight against climate change and hope for a better future.

During the first Trump administration, we watched as local governments, nonprofits, and leaders fought for climate action. As Americans, our community marched and advocated, and we came out stronger, making strides in climate progress.

What has Green Philly done since 2016? Our writers have covered new organizations, changemakers, and initiatives, and we continue to hold our government accountable through our Every Voice, Every Vote initiative. We have highlighted over 200 local changemakers as SustainPHL nominees. We’ve received grants from the William Penn Foundation, Press Forward, the Lenfest Institute for Journalism, and others. We’ve collaborated with other newsrooms in the Philadelphia Journalism Collaborative to increase climate coverage.

We won’t give up this fight. This is not a sprint; it’s truly a marathon. We all may need to rest first, but we’ll be ready to continue connecting you with solutions and uplifting the community that will bring a brighter future. 


Julie Hancher

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.

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