As the results of this past election come into focus, we share many of the emotions you might be feeling: anger, anxiety, disappointment. But we also know we have an incredible community of staff, volunteers, and supporters to connect with. And we know, despite the changes in Washington, that we will work together to win more progress toward clean water, sustainable food, and a livable climate.

“It’s good to remember that there are literally millions and millions of people who are suffering from the same feelings of despair right now,” said Wenonah Hauter, Food & Water Watch Founder and Executive Director. “Talking with like-minded people is one of the best ways to shake the sadness and depression. We will get through the next four years by supporting one another — engaging with community.”

At our November Livable Future LIVE event, we sat down with Food & Water Watch members and staff to do just that. Along with Wenonah, we heard from:

• Mitch Jones, Managing Director of Policy and Litigation
• Tarah Heinzen, Legal Director
• Jorge Aguilar, Southern Region Director
• Jon Pope, Food & Water Watch volunteer and donor
• Thomas Meyer, Strategic Organizing Projects Director

Together, we unpacked the current political landscape, the path ahead for progress, and ways you can join us!

Understanding the Political Lay of the Land

Going into 2025, we know we will see a Republican trifecta — the House, Senate, and Presidency will be controlled by the Republican Party, and many lawmakers will be aligned with Trump’s extreme agenda. But, Mitch explained, it’s not all bad news. 

“As votes continue to be counted, it looks like the Republicans may have lost a seat or two in the House,” he said. That would hobble extreme right-wing lawmakers’ ability to pass policy.

Moreover, voters elected several first-time lawmakers to the House, like Josh Riley and Laura Gillen in New York, who will be steadfast allies in the fights for food, water, and climate. We also saw long-time allies like Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Ro Khanna re-elected. 

On the legal side of things, we can expect a wave of Trump appointees to enter lifetime positions in federal courts, Tarah explained. However, a changing legal landscape may bring opportunities to hold agencies to the law.

“We can also find ways to lay the groundwork for real progress in the future,” Tarah added. For example, in 2017 we petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for stronger factory farm water pollution regulations. The Trump EPA ignored it, but we got it in the pipeline — so when Biden came into office, we could sue the EPA to demand action on the petition. 

The resulting litigation compelled the EPA to create multiple study processes about factory farm water pollution, which will set us up for better regulations in the future.

How We Can Double Down on Action in 2025

Going into the new year, we’re doubling down on campaigns at the state and local levels across the country. From stopping support for dirty energy in California, to fighting factory farm pollution in Iowa, to defending publicly owned water in Pennsylvania, these campaigns are gaining even more steam, and we’re looking forward to more victories in 2025. 

All this work is powered by dedicated, passionate people like you. “We’re always looking for more people to help with these campaigns, and we’re always looking to take on projects that community members flag for us,” said Jorge. “The great thing about the volunteer network is that we always meet inspiring, dedicated people.”

There are two main ways you can get involved as a volunteer with Food & Water Watch:

1. Join our state teams in California, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, or Oregon. From tabling at farmers’ markets to meeting with elected officials, on-the-ground organizing in these states is key to bold change.
2. Join our national issue teams for food, water, climate, and plastics. You can get involved virtually from anywhere in the country by making phone calls, sending text messages, or learning how you can organize in your town.

At the same time, there are actions you can take right now. For example, you can join us in calling on President Biden to block permits for liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities. Allowing these facilities to go forward will entrench fracked gas and fracking. By stopping them now, Biden can prevent Trump from reversing this decision in 2025. Send a message to Biden now!

Staying Strong for the Long Haul, Together

This is a difficult moment. We know the coming years will be full of chaos, corruption, and cronyism from Trump and his allies.

But there are millions of people in this country who feel like we do. Our work is to help them come together and turn those feelings into action. 

With passion and strategy and a whole lot of people, we can keep making progress. “We’re gonna need all the people we can get, so I’m trying to invigorate volunteers and people in my life to get involved,” said Jon.

During times like these, the most important thing we have is community. It not only allows us to build the people power we need for systemic change — it is essential for taking care of each other and making this work sustainable. 

As Thomas remembers, “My experience in the first Trump term was that the people who came out the other side in the best shape — physically, mentally, emotionally — were people who took action together, who were a part of a group, who were a part of a movement.”

The fight ahead will be the fight of our lives, and the only way we can get through it is together. 

Watch “The Path Ahead” to Prepare for 2025

You can check out the full event to learn even more about our legal strategies, our current campaigns and recent victories, additional opportunities for action right now, and advice on how to make our activism sustainable for the long-haul.

Links Shared at the Event

• Read “That Sinking Feeling in Your Stomach? That’s Political Grief” in Rolling Stone
• Read “10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won” in Waging Nonviolence
• Check out Food & Water Watch’s top victories of 2024!
• Tell California Governor Newsom to shut down the dangerous Aliso Canyon gas storage facility! Send a message
• A bill moving through Congress right now would allow Trump to shut down organizations he doesn’t agree with. Stop the bill to shut down nonprofits!
• YOU power our work — make a gift here!
• Meet the lawyers fighting for our food, water, and climate! Read the article
• Check out our latest victories in the fight for water justice in Baltimore
• Read “How Project 2025 Puts People and Our Planet in Peril”
• Read “Weedkiller manufacturer seeks lawmakers’ help to squelch claims it failed to warn about cancer” from the Associated Press
• Read “New Yorkers Demand Gov. Hochul Sign Climate Superfund Act Amidst Extreme Heat”

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