During this tumultuous and uncertain time, our newsletter team has still found cause for hope. While we don’t know what’s next for our world, we do have a clear vision of what we’re working towards. We hope you enjoy reading each of our team member’s aspirations for the future, and that it gives you as much cause for optimism as it does us–

Want to share your vision of the future? Email to outreach@350colorado.org to be featured in our next newsletter. 

In the future, interdependence is the central value of our society. When we go out into the world — breathing clean air and working in our worker cooperatives and riding our public transit powered by renewable energy — we say things like “Hello tree, we are part of one another. You have made my life possible.” We greet everyone this way every day, and we share our resources, so that everyone has enough, including the trees. We’re grateful for the planet we share, but we also remember the past. We tell the real, violent history of Colorado and America. We talk about when we thought that we could do it alone, and how that is a practice of whiteness and capitalism, which leads to the destruction of the world. It’s not easy in our green future, but there is less hoarding, and more listening and care. -Sam

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I rode my bike to work today. Helmet on, but no mask necessary. A day at the library, writing (for pay!). After that, to the cinema. A crowded theater. A cocktail outside with friends. Tomorrow, I teach an adult education class. Literature and the environment. Working adults: 40 hours, fair pay, healthcare. We all want to be there. I think I’ll take the train. -Max

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Of course, I want many of the same things that we all want: clean air to breathe, clear skies, lush forests, healthy ecosystems, social justice…a utopia, of sorts. But most of all this year, I’m dreaming of a future in which we are all able to come together in alignment over shared values. I’m suffering from a broken heart, caused by our collective inability to engage in discourse that isn’t riddled with partisanship, anger, and loathing for “the other side.” I’m fighting for a world where all worldviews are held as equally valuable and real, and where the opinions of others are approached with empathy. Until we find inclusive solutions that prioritize our humanity — and until we remember that those who disagree with us have a voice that’s just as important as our own — I believe we will fall short of meeting our climate change mitigation, social justice, and global betterment goals. -Mikkela

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I would like to see: collaboration and not just competition; sustainable growth and not just blind greed; respect for our planet not just ruin;  hope and action and not just fear and stagnation. 

We can do it.  Onward. -Kim

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When I envision a brighter future, I see companies and countries, scientists, humans, and all living beings working together to create a world in which there is equity, justice, the protection of human rights (extended also to the more-than-human), and happiness, health, and sustainability for generations to come. I recognize that getting here will take hard work as we abolish deeply embedded oppressive systems and mentalities. In the world that gives me hope, the people have a strong voice to shape policies and systems at the local level all the way up to the global level to create a more spiritually, emotionally, naturalistically, and relationally prosperous world. Our quality of life and measure of success is not based on status or possession but on time spent doing what we love, with those whom we love and on our commitment to ensuring that every being (be it a human, an animal, or a mountain stream) has those same opportunities for meaningful living. Time is slow and moments are valued. We take time to watch ants or lizards as they do their daily work, we watch the way the light shines through the leaves as the sun moves across the sky, and we feel the life of the land beneath our feet pulsating and deeply alive and we say thank you to be alive to be a part of this and thank you for the honor of protecting this. -Jessica

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The future I am hoping for and working for:

I am fascinated by stories of utopia and intentional communities that form around common ideals. Peace prevails in my utopia because we are finally guided by compassion; there is peace between people and peace between people and Mother Earth. Peace grants us space and time. It’s not a mush of fairies singing hallelujah all day, rather a place for engaged activism without hatred, bullying and violence. We still disagree, of course, but we have found ways to talk to each other and LISTEN. 

Remember John Lennon’s “Imagine all the people living life in peace…?” Yeah, that’s worth working for. -Elisabeth

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I’m dreaming of a future where anxiety and depression ease for everyone because the serenity of our planet is a priority. A future where mental health issues may not be nonexistent but they are far less severe for most people. Not only do we care more deeply about each other and the planet, or try to put ourselves in each other’s shoes more often, we understand the positive impacts of a healthy planet creating a healthy mind.  -Megan

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The world I’m organizing to create has reparations for Black and Indigenous communities, for people of color and for the Global South. It has no borders, no commodification, no military, no privatization, no homophobia, no capitalism, no patriarchy, no white supremacy, no colonialism and no domination. It has Indigenous sovereignty and immigrant rights. We have free education, free health care, free housing, free water, free food, free land. Our governance structure is participatory, horizontal, and relational. Clean energy and food are produced locally by autonomous, decentralized communities. We have free education, free health care, free water, free food, free land. Everyone can breathe. -Brigid

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This morning I finally got rid of my inhaler. I woke up and sipped my tea under blue skies, and I mean really blue. Looking over the horizon instead of a brown cloud cloaking the Denver skyline I only see fresh, clean air for miles. Last month, Colorado announced we have finally met our 100% renewable energy goals and I can finally run and hike without my inhaler in my backpack. -Julia

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I see the future every day because it’s my job to make it visible. A renewable energy revolution has given architects like me the tools we need to construct buildings that are 100% renewable energy powered. Innovations in material science and technology have driven the cost of solar and wind energy below the cost of their fossil-fueled counterparts. As global energy demand pivots toward renewables, opportunities arise for innovation, job creation and leadership in new energy markets. While a new, democratized energy economy – based on innovations like carbon trading and distributed generation – prioritizes justice, resiliency and sustainability over monopolies. Architects foresee this future in what we’re building today. With the technological and financial hurdles behind us it’s only a matter of political will to make it reality. -Ron

In creating this collective piece, we were inspired by the powerful short film, A Message from the Future, narrated by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. What future are you working towards? Please tell us more about the world you are envisioning by submitting your thoughts to Julia Williams at outreach@350colorado.org. We plan to publish your vision in next month’s newsletter.