Where to from here? This is something I’ve been asked a lot over the past three days. When I was first asked this question, I did not have a response in mind. As a self-identified environmentalist, the result of Wednesday's elections was certainly a huge blow to the environmental movement. With an incoming President who has repeatedly denied the existence of climate change, a heavily Republican Congress who receive millions of dollars worth of “donations” from the Fossil Fuel Industry, and a Republican leaning Supreme Court, things were looking pretty dim for the future of our planet--devastatingly so. Environmentalists all around the world have to grapple with the fact that the next President of the US will likely reject the Climate Agreement signed by Obama in Paris last year, that the next President will likely complete the building of the Dakota Access pipeline, that the next President will significantly increase the burning of fossil fuels in this country, and that this is only the very tip of the iceberg. When we take into account the fact that our entire planet depends on the US, the world’s second largest carbon emitter, to play its role when it comes to climate change, it is hard to ignore the imminent doom which lingers right round the corner. Now would seem like the perfect time to throw the towel in and just watch the world crash and burn. I understand this feeling. I understand the frustration. I understand the anger, the hopelessness, and the disbelief. But there is something else we should all understand. We should understand that the greatest power of all has always been ascribed to us--not him. We have long forgotten just how great of an impact individuals acting together can make.At the end of the day, the things which we care about and the values we hold dear will remain true despite the outcome of these elections. Our actions speak far louder than the hateful words and political threats of any politician. If we care about the environment, it is our choice to reduce (or better yet, eliminate) our own meat consumption, to stop using disposable tupperware and bottles and to walk and bike more often. If we truly care about black lives, refugees, LGBTQ rights, gender and race equality, or religious freedom, it is our choice to do more within these communities as either a member or an ally (especially as an ally), to educate others, to be the change we wish to see in the world, to call out injustice when we see it, and to build a movement not out of hate and intolerance but love and understanding. Since the beginning of recorded history, people power has always been the greatest power of all (just think back to the rise and fall of Chinese dynasties). We often forget this because it has been so tactfully concealed from us by politicians and corporations, people who rely on us being complacent and not challenging the status quo. This election has opened up the door for hate and intolerance, but it has also opened up the door behind which our long-forgotten power still lives. Let us take back this power and use it for good. Over the next four years, our patience, compassion, and empathy will likely be tested time and time again. During this time, we must not lose faith in the power we each possess, we must constantly make use of this power, and we must use this power for good. As my friend Sally Wu so gracefully put it: “What societal values are you afraid will go down the drain because of the result of this election? Live by those values every day through your actions, and you will keep them alive. The quickest way to lose your power is to believe you have none.” Never forget that when they go low, we go high. That is where to from here.#LoveAlwaysTrumpsHate#PowerToThePeople#NastyMillenials This article was written by Michelle Huang. Please send an email to [email protected] to get in touch. Photo Credit: Stuff NZ