Dear future self and family,

Right now in 2020 the world is different than most people probably would have expected. From record breaking fires here in California to hurricanes near unexpected places, it is clear to see the changing climate and the effects it is having on people’s lives. Unfortunately, efforts to slow the effects of climate change are happening at a pace that provides a grim glimpse into the future, as people fail to agree on the realities of climate change and people in power choose to appeal to money and status instead of making positive change to the current path of our world. Without true efforts being taken to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change, the devastating events that we have seen happen here in 2020 will only increase in severity and frequency by the time we get to 2050.

I hope that where you are now, in 2050, the effects of climate change have slowed. I hope that those in power have finally used their money, power, and status for good, enacting policies and taking steps to reduce emissions, better adapt their citizens to a changing environment, and more. I hope that people have become further educated about climate change, seeing it as a real and important issue that they can contribute to altering.

In this sense, I vow to be a part of making positive change to the climate for your future. I vow to advocate for reducing the effects of climate change, whether that be through how I vote, through educating those around me, and more. I vow to make personal lifestyle changes to both limit my own carbon footprint and to pass on these positive changes to those around me and to those in my future, hopefully making a bigger impact altogether. I will be more aware of how I shop, including noting the carbon footprint of products and relying more on local, lower carbon footprint items. I will be more conscious of what I consume, limiting my intake of the high methane-emitting beef products and encouraging those around me to do the same. I will do my part in ensuring a better future for you; a future not devastatingly impacted by the effects of climate change. I promise to take this issue seriously and not let it slide as the generations before me have, so that the future of both myself and for your generations can see a better tomorrow. With working together and taking this issue to heart, change is possible, and our generation will put in that work to make it happen.