Dear Future Grandchildren,

It took me awhile to come to grips with the fact that climate change could be caused by humans like you and me. Turns out, humans have a lot more of an impact than we think. After taking an environmental ethics course and an environmental chem course in college, I began to think differently. Growing up and going to Catholic grade school and high school, I was always taught we were made in the image of God and that we were all created equally. Our many duty was to protect the earth and that we were to treat all of God’s creation with great respect and reverence. Nature has always been a big part of my life. It’s so vast and intriguing. There has always been so much to explore and learn. It brought me peace and serenity and allowed me to escape from the busy, stressful world. The earth has given humans so much and humans continue to trample on it and objectify it. We no longer see it as sacred but something we can exploit for monetary gain. We don’t realize the impact of our actions have on the earth. Things like big industries, oil and gas development, pollution and excessive water use are contributing to climate change.

One thing that was ingrained in my brain growing up was to never be wasteful. I have always been conscientious about how much water I was using. I have always recycled and reused materials as much as I can. However, there is so much more that I can do to protect the Earth. Everything I have learned I will pass on to your parents. It is important to remember that humans are to benefit from the earth and use its resources but humans must remember to give back to the Earth. Plant flowers, pick up trash, don’t destroy habitats by building near them, walk instead of drive, protect and appreciate biodiversity, recycle and reuse…the opportunities are endless. The Earth is not something that can be taken advantage of because once it’s gone, it’s gone.

I’ll be seeing you soon.

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More Messages to the Future

Dear Future Grandchildren,

I hope I can look you in the eye and tell you I honestly did everything I could to protect our planet.

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to never use a plastic straw.

Dear Levon,

I hope, as your father, I’ve done enough to instill within you how science is a wonderful adventure.

To my children,

I hope that the fervor that is building continues to build and spread and that the world has made progress to minimize the effects of our past actions.

Dear Finn and Cy,

I think a lot about what you might be like when you grow up and about what kind of world you will live in.

Dear tomorrow,

Unfortunately, our selfishness and excessive greed have closed our eyes to the well-being of the planet, and it has suffered the consequences.

Queridos filhos Heloísa e Henzo,

Tenho muito orgulho da minha função (agente de fiscalização ambiental do Acre) pois é através dela que posso dar um pouco do meu suor, para que no futuro ambos possam ter um lugar melhor para viver.

Filha,

Saiba que enquanto eu tiver vida, minha voz não calará para alertar o mal que estamos fazendo agora para as nossas gerações futuras…

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to use a reusable water bottle.

To my future Niece,

While I will work my hardest to create any positive change I can, you must continue this quest. You cannot give up hope, and you must always remember that the beauty on this Earth is worth saving.

Dear Before The Flood team,

We can all be aware and sensitized to the problem, so that we are ready to embrace the solutions that will come our way. In doing so, we can all be part of the solution.

I want to tell you a story. Yes, another one.

Mankind has always been able to deal with the greatest challenges it’s faced and this will not be the exception. My message to you is: find that passion and give it your all. ‘Till your legs give out.

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