To whom it may concern,

Five years I’ve lived in Missoula, and the coldest winter was the first. That year my skin was bit by -26F temperatures in the mountains. Now I fear it will never happen again. Only five years have I lived in MT but already I have heard the old timers lament that winter is not what it used to be. Circumstantial evidence at best; but, the data agrees.

Since I first heard of our global climate predicament I’ve been furious. It was some time around 2005, middle school. Adults, with their politics, economy, corporations and money. Fools.

Nothing has changed in 2021.

Well…

That’s not true.

The comrades for climate change action have reason for thankfulness in the new year. Enough pessimism. If you still deny anthropogenic climate change you have something to gain from it. The rest of us have recognized we have everything to lose.

So I’ll keep on freezing my ass off riding my bicycle in winter, picking up other peoples trash on the trail, carrying armfuls of groceries when I forget my reusable bags and only drinking the fine beer of Missoula from growlers and cans (because you can’t recycle glass). So hopefully one day you, who ever you are, can enjoy the rugged places of MT, in a world still fit for human habitation.

Sincerely,

Tom Herwerden

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More Messages to the Future

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.

I will recycle stuff I found.

Aos meus sobrinhos queridos, Ana Laura, Luis Carlos e Helloísa,

Talvez eu não esteja viva para ver alguma mudança, mas espero que vocês vejam e tenham um mundo melhor em 2050. Plantei um ipê rosa e outro amarelo, que eles estejam florindo até 2050.

Dear Kids,

I know it’s long past time to wake up. You deserve a future in which drought, famine, and war are not all your children ever know; the choices my generation makes now will determine your future.

Dear Anabelle and Bruce,

My desire is for clean air, clean water, rich soil, and healthy nutritious food for you and all children always everywhere.

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise when I start my baking franchise, I will reduce pollution made by it as much as physically possible.

To my future self,

It is today on March 6th, 2017 that you have made the decision to make a difference in this world.

Dear Tomorrow,

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

Dear Grandchildren — August and any others who were born after him

I joined millions of other people who wrote letters and made calls urging our leaders to do more to care for the planet.

Dear Tomorrow,

This is just the beginning. It’s the accrual of little seeds of change that will lead to the tree of revolution.

Dear Tomorrow,

I will work to restore the wetlands.

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to reach out to more people to ditch driving and consider using public transportation. I promise to convince Marin markets that sensible policies in density and mixed use planning will further enhance everyone’s quality of life.

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