Dear child of the future,

Since I was a little girl, I have had fears about climate change. I noticed the garbage on the streets continue to pile and grow in size, I have noticed less birds and squirrels playing in the trees, I have noticed the way the sun has changed from being a ball of warmth to something that seriously burns. In my late teens and early twenties, I changed my lifestyle completely because of the changes I started to see and because I also noticed that it was happening faster than I ever imagined. I say no to plastic bags, stopped buying things in plastic packaging when I can, I consume way less than I ever have, I eat less meat and dairy, I shop at the zero-waste store and refill my shampoo bottles and cleaning supplies, I walk or bike as a form of transportation when I can but most of all, I have been sharing my lifestyle changes and have been influencing my friends and family to make changes in their lives when they can.

I do not know if I am making a difference but to think that I could be, even if it is the smallest difference, I do it, if it means I can leave a healthier planet behind compared to the version of the planet I was born into.

When I was little, I would sing a song to people whenever they would litter. I made it up, I have no idea where it came from. My point is that, this passion for the environment has always been within me and I will always attempt to do my part to achieve a better world for you dear child. I hope when you are reading this, we finally are carbon neutral, the trees are filled with squirrels and the sun is warm on your skin. I hope the wind blows your hair in a way that makes you feel alive. But most of all, I hope that you get to experience a life where you are not worried about climate change the way I had to worry growing up. A life where you can simply experience the beauty of our planet in its entirety.