To whom it may concern,

It’s my hope that our planet does not now resemble a world from an apocalyptic work of fiction. Moreover, I’d like to know that our modes of transportation are not poisoning the air that we breathe, and that our food is more or less what it claims to be. Humanity has incited an explosion of ability and progress in the last few hundred years alone. I can only imagine the level of connectedness exists between all people of Earth (and elsewhere?). However we have done so in a very human fashion- without foresight. Whether it is a cynical understanding of the brevity of our own lives, or our avoidance of making hard decisions that only provide reward in the distance, we have been very bad housekeepers. Will continuous ingenuity save us from our own mass-extinction? Or will the human race take the place of all the ancient life that we burned along the way. I believe the former to be more likely, but we would be foolish to doubt our own vulnerability. Life is precious- let’s have fun, but understand what we and our toys are capable of.

Send Your Own Message

More Messages to the Future

Dear Kaydence,

I will keep trying Kaydence, I promise. And I hope we can look back together in 2050 and smile, knowing that our Earth is healthy once again.

To My Future Nephews,

I want you to see those corn fields in the north, the beautiful beaches down in Florida, and the stars in the woods at night.

Dear Samuel, Willa, and Ben,

To the core of my being, and only through the power of community, I will honor the voices of the youth who are pleading, “Don’t burn my future.” Samuel, Willa, and Ben, your little voices I know, will join that chorus soon enough.

Dear You Tomorrow,

What we failed to do, at least early on, was to see how important it was to put those solutions together. To combine into a way forward.

Dear Jackson,

I feel deeply that it is my moral obligation as your Mom to protect your future and allow you to inherit a clean and healthy planet.

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to only use metal straws and reusable cups.

Dear Leo,

Last week I took you to protest the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Dear future 82-year old me,

29 years later, I wish I still can ride bike and go some lovely places in nature. Sky is blue and air is fresh, I will be shining under the sun.

Dear Tara,

I am sitting in a classroom thinking about you. Which is rare for me. I hope that our family has taken some initiative to do something about changing society instead of building robots and large houses.

Dear future child,

We’re presenting at conferences, writing articles, and organizing events with the goal of mobilizing our profession to act on climate, and to help them understand that it will deeply impact our mission to preserve history for future generations.

To my wide-eyed warrioresses,

Since my two daughters emerged into this world, all of my tomorrows have become more dear.

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.

View All Messages