It should go without saying that our moral responsibility as citizens is to oppose tyranny in all its forms. Whether tyranny comes cloaked in nationalism, religious extremism, authoritarian populism, or corporate power, it corrodes the foundations of a free and just society. Standing against it is not just a matter of political opinion—it is an ethical obligation. But how we stand up matters. Our response must be measured, effective, and directed toward positive outcomes, even when the path forward is uncertain or fraught with risk.
In some parts of the world, such as Ukraine, the struggle against tyranny is brutally physical and immediate. Ukrainians have no choice but to defend their homes, families, and sovereignty with whatever means are at hand. Their resistance is a stark reminder of what is at stake when authoritarian power goes unchecked. For those of us not caught in such violence, the fight may be quieter, but it is no less critical. We still have the opportunity—which becomes our duty—to use our voices, our actions, and our civic power to prevent such conditions from emerging or worsening at home.
Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century (2017) provides both a warning and a roadmap. Continue reading “Standing Up Against Tyranny: A Moral Imperative for Our Time”
The non-governmental organizations and institutions dedicated to climate mitigation and adaptation have long been the backbone of efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, develop sustainable technologies, and build resilient communities. However, the chilling effect of Donald Trump’s climate policies has cast a shadow over this critical work, obstructing progress at a time when urgent action is needed more than ever.
After almost ten years of concerted advocacy, New Jersey’s C-PACE law is finally being amended to make it actually usable by municipalities and commercial property owners to limit their carbon emissions, save money, and create new jobs and opportunities in local communities. While it will still be a number of months before the NJ Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) issues rules and guidelines, the passage of the new bill (A2374/S1953) is a major milestone in NJ’s commitment to meaningful climate action.
