Dear future self,

This has been an insane few years, both personally and globally. There have been Black Lives Matter movements, a riot on the capital, the disaster and racisms of the Trump administration, and the global COVID pandemic. Personally, you’ve been stretched thin in your job and its impact on your self-worth. You’ve had to fight for what is right at work, you’ve had to ask for help repeatedly, even though it never should have gotten to that point. Each day has been a challenge, but your family and relationships have gotten you through.

I hope that the future is less selfish and more empathetic. I hope that the well-being of the individual is valued as much as the collective good. I hope that the Earth heals itself and that people heal relationships. World peace is a myth, but we can each play a role in bringing a slice of peace to where we are, to the people we interact with, to the lives we lead.

I promise to be more conscious of my food and product choices. I promise to purchase an electric or hybrid car as my next vehicle. I promise to continue to stay up-to-date on the science of climate change and to teach my students that they can make a difference.

Climate change feels like an insurmountable challenge. When was the last time anyone ever agreed on anything, let alone the whole world collaborating for a cause that dictates an immense change in lifestyle and priorities. The “danger zone” is so much closer than we think; it’s not just 100 years in the future, or even 30, it is already a slippery slope and climate disaster is only 7-10 years away. The world needs to shift our lifestyles to include less meat and incorporate more local foods. We need to limit waste, create sustainable products, and implement clean energy sources. Money needs to take a back seat to the reality that our home is at serious risk; in fact, money shouldn’t even be in the metaphorical car. If we were able to make and distribute a global vaccine for a novel virus in less than a year, we should be able to come together to solve the issue of climate change.

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More Messages to the Future

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise composting in my house and getting an EV for my first car.

Dear Future Me,

I promise that I will change my behavior to benefit our trees.

Dear Tomorrow,

I’m not allowed to talk about climate change around family; as my mom warned me, “climate change is not something that people think about in Mississippi.” But I’m worried for my family’s future.

Dear Hailey and Lily,

We know about this. If we don’t fix this for you, it’s our fault.

Paz e bem

Vivamos a vida com intensidade, Não nos importando a localidade.

To our sweet grandson Caleb,

We want a safe and beautiful world for you, little Caleb, and for your children and grandchildren. We promise to do our part.

Querida Alê,

Por você idealizei um mundo melhor e lutei incessantemente por ele.

Dear my future loved ones,

I hope that humans can live harmoniously with the earth.

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 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.

To My Children and My Future Grandchildren,

People are an amazing race and, if we have the will, I believe we have the ingenuity and resources to fix the harm we’ve done.

Dear Me of 2050,

I promise that I will plant more trees in places where there are none.

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