According to Google search trends, the word ‘polarization’ reached peak global popularity this year. In the US, 45 percent of Republicans and 41 percent of Democrats think the other party is so dangerous that it is a threat to the health of the nation. In Canada, we only need to look at the last federal election to remember how polarizing certain issues were. 

We’re seeing a lot of us versus them, citizens versus corporations, and jobs versus community well-being. 

Energy and data both have economic and social benefits, and have been vital for work and our communities. But the energy and technology sectors have also been criticized for similar issues, from not doing enough for climate change to marginalizing people without voice and power.

The world of social impact has found it particularly challenging to engage with people who believe radically d