Dear Ernie,

I’m so sorry we didn’t act sooner. I wish I could tell you exactly why but human beings struggle with taking action now on faraway consequences. We always have. Probably always will. I have always believed that climate change was real but aside from supporting organizations fighting to reverse it and recycling, I never did much else. I’m trying to change that now and trying to figure out what that looks like. I’m worried it’s too little too late but I’m going to anyway. I hope the future isn’t too horrible – I fear the worst.

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More Messages to the Future

Anya,

All you can do is your best. You can encourage the same in others. You can admit your mistakes and those of your ancestors. You can learn from them, and help however you can. I’ll do the same. I promise.

Dear Tomorrow,

Less meat, more on my feet!

Dear grandchild,

There is a place on this planet called the Amazon, and I don’t mean the online shopping site (is that still a thing in your time?).

To my daughter and her children,

As a minister, I have preached that we are here to be of service to others and to be care takers of this wonderful planet that God has given us.

Dearest Finlay,

I hope you are healthy and happy and that you feel supported by the ecosystem around you because we are all deeply truly interconnected. We depend on the earth to take care of us, and nature needs us to take care of her in turn. We all need each other.

Dear Jamie and Jason,

My inspiration was the two of you. It started with thinking about the world you were inheriting and what your future was going to be like. But then you taught me how important it is to listen to you – to listen to young people.

Dear future me,

I’m doing this work because I see it as the best way to save and improve as many lives as possible. I’m doing it so you, 2050 Ryan, can look at yourself in the mirror. And so you can tell your kids and grandkids someday that you did everything you could.

Dear future loved ones,

As I sit here and write to you, I’d like to share with you something more horrifying than a few boos – our current home, Earth.

Dear Sadie,

You are young and have a rich future ahead of you. I am retired and aiming for a high quality of cultural life and comfort with whatever time remains to me. I do not want to see a world whose elders sacrifice your future for their short-term needs and personal gain. So it’s up to you and me to speak out.

Dear Tomorrow and Dearest Lex,

I do believe that the collective power of everyone’s best efforts can curb the worst effects of climate change, and provide you with a more stable and secure future.

To my Beloved Future Children,

Be fearless – do not be afraid to talk to each other and do not be afraid to fail.

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to never use a plastic straw.

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