In times of darkness, our actions light the way.

Many of us are stressed out about the current geopolitical news, the challenges involved with taking action on climate change, and how policies are rarely based on science, data and facts.

However, it's important to keep in mind that most big changes start with one person, not with the whole organisation or a government. There is real, observable progress that can give us hope, despite all the political noise going on around us.

Politics are losing power to communities.

In Germany, citizen energy cooperatives now own about 50% of all renewable energy installations. Local groups, not government orders, were the first ones to start Denmark's wind revolution. We can see what's possible when groups of people take charge. In Spain, it was the citizens and communities who rushed to help those afected by the floods.

Cities aren't waiting for national leadership.

Copenhagen is on track to be free of carbon emissions by the year 2025. Paris is changing into a 15-minute city where you can walk or ride a bike to anywhere. Over 100 cities in the US have promised to use only renewable energy, no matter what happens at the government level.

Global markets are being driven by what people do in their communities.

Since 2010, the price of solar panels has dropped by more than 90%. This is because of laws and demand in the community. Most places now pay less for wind power than coal. In 2021 and 2022, sales of electric vehicles doubled around the world. This was more due to customer choice than government regulation.

The decisions individuals make are sending huge waves through society.

In 2021, the market for plant-based foods was worth more than $40 billion, up from $29.4 billion in 2020. It wasn't because of politics; millions of people made different choices. The market for used clothes is projected to grow 127% by 2026. This shows how individual choices are changing whole industries.

Data activism is changing corporate behaviour.

Thanks to citizen pressure, major companies are now required to disclose their carbon emissions in many regions. Cities all over the world have had to change their rules because of community-led air quality tracking networks. People can access satellite data that finds gas leaks that companies tried to hide.

Youth movements are transforming education and business.

After student campaigns, more than 1,000 colleges around the world have promised to stop investing in fossil fuels. Tens of thousands of climate tech startups have been started by young people. These range from lab-grown meat to carbon capture technologies.

Politics follow when enough people move in a new direction.

People asked for change, which led to the Clean Air Act. Goals for renewable energy came after people started building wind and solar farms. Laws requiring electric cars came after people started buying them.

The real power for change isn't in political offices - it's in our hands, our choices, our communities.

So while we may feel sad about political setbacks, we should also be filled with hope. Because the real power for change isn't in political offices—it's in our hands, our choices, our communities. And the data shows we're using that power more effectively every day.

We are already making the world we want, one choice at a time and community by community. And no one in politics can stop that.

Here's what you can do:

• Support local climate initiatives
• Share verified climate data and success stories
• Choose sustainable options when available
• Connect with others taking action

Every major victory in history started with regular people deciding to change. Today is no different. The future is being written by us, not by politicians.

The path forward isn't about waiting for permission. It's about joining the millions already walking toward a better world, step by step, choice by choice, day by day.

Let's keep going forward together. It may be a sad day in the news, but the real story is being told by people like you.

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