The past few years have been troubling. We’ve watched the unchecked rise in corporate power and money. The highest levels of government have prioritized profits over people and nature. Our constitutional rights, health, humanity, and environment have completely been disregarded. 

Yet, we’re on the verge of major change.  

The results of the recent election underscore the power of the people to demand change and hold the government accountable. The way the South is leading this shift in power is beyond inspiring! As W.E.B. Du Bois said: 

“As the South goes, so goes the nation.” 

From North Carolina to South Carolina. From Georgia and maybe even Mississippi, we’re witnessing a public outcry for change.  

People are tired of big money influence and corruption in politics. We’re tired of an economy that perpetuates poverty, sacrifices our health, and destroys nature. We want: 

  • an economy that works for everyone, not just a few
  • protected water, air, and nature
  • diversity in leadership
  • our public dollars to help everyday people, not just those in power 

Building people power in the South

This moment makes me so grateful for our commitment here at Dogwood to build power in the South. We won’t tolerate unchecked power. Affordability, human health, and an economy that works for all people and nature is the future. 

The election doesn’t fix everything. But the winds are shifting in ways that will propel our work forward.

Public pressure is essential no matter what political party holds office. Now let’s double down on holding the forest industry and their political allies accountable. We need our elected officials on both sides of the aisle to deliver for our forests and communities. 

Together we must amplify this groundswell of public demand for change. 

We’re building power across the South to stop big companies like Drax and Enviva from polluting our communities and destroying our forests. We won’t allow them to burn our Southern forests to power data centers. 

A new vision for the South

Instead we’re driving a new vision for the South’s rural economy. One that is grounded in community power. One that works for people and nature. One that keeps our forests standing. 

Out with the old, and in with the new!  We’re in the right place at the right time for this moment. And we intend to seize it.  

Help us build a better future for people and planet.

Danna Smith

Danna is the founder of Dogwood Alliance. For over 20 years, she has been at the forefront of forest protection in the US, leading hard-hitting campaigns and negotiating ground-breaking forest protection commitments from some of the largest companies in the world. She is a leading voice connecting the dots between climate change, forest destruction and social justice and pushing for forest protection in the US at a scale necessary to meet the sustainability challenges of the 21st Century. She holds a law degree from Emory University.