Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope that you got rid of our leaky faucet in the bathroom. I think that in this day in age at least, there is so much to be done about the climate crisis, including by not limited to our role in the crisis itself. I know at the time I am writing this letter, I am the one in the family who encourages everybody to use reusable items, such as water bottles. I hope that you guys have internalized that message as well. It is silly to think that we will not be affected by climate change just because we live in a little, suburban neighborhood. Rather, I think you have to worry more about climate change. Think of all the things we won’t be able to do — buy certain foods because the climate has rendered their growth impossible, swim in the summertime since freshwater is scarce, take the dog for walks at Fairmount Park since biodiversity is compromised. I could continue for the entire length of this letter due to the amount of change that we will experience due to climate change. Our role as Americans, as Global Citizens, is too important to just stand by. For myself at least, I will continue to live a green life. At this time, you know I don’t eat a lot of meat. By 2050, I want to become fully vegan since it is great for the environment and our health. I also want to sell my car. No, it’s not because I’m a bad driver (although, that is an excuse to get rid of it). I feel as though if I live in a city, as I plan to do eventually, I won’t use my car much and I can rely on public transportation to get around. There is much more to be done, and I hope that you guys take this letter not with a grain of salt, but with a warning from the past.

Love,
Katie Kelly

Send Your Own Message

More Messages to the Future

To My Dear Children, Jackson Carlo and Stella Jane,

I am a better person because of you, and I want the world to be a better place for you.

Dearest Gray,

When I asked you why the purple Violet called to you, you told me it was “magic”. I hope that you can still find the magic of life. I hope, despite everything, it is still in abundance.

Dear Future Afnan,

You should make a time machine and come back to past and solve all the problems.

Dear Tomorrow,

My climate promise is to stop using electricity too much.

Dear A and C,

You are growing up in a time of immense change. In the last two years alone, we’ve learned so much about big and important issues including climate change and the systemic racism that runs through our institutions.

To My Future Child(ren),

The fact that you are reading this means that you would know the answer to a question that has kept me up at night more often than I would like to admit: Did I make you proud?

To my Maria and her children,

I have to tell you something: it is so hard to keep our life “green” for now, but we still keep trying.

To my dearest Gabriel,

What gives me hope is what is yet to come, what you will experience in your lifetime.

Dear Yasmine,

I tried to teach you of the importance of being satisfied with what you had within your hands.

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to switch from “light” to “deep” green.

Dear future generations,

My hope for you is that you can have equal experiences with nature that I was able to have with my dad.

Dear Lillyana,

I will continue to work to make the Earth a cleaner and safer place for you to grow and explore.

View All Messages