The time has come to question ourselves as citizens about our own actions and the legacy we are leaving behind.

Sent on
October 20, 2015
by
Renu Shah
Send Your Own Message

Dear Tanuj,

As I stood gaping in awe at the glaciers at the Everest Base Camp, I felt a sudden pang of pain in my heart. I wondered if you would witness what I was witnessing. The glaciers are melting bit-by-bit everyday and in my moment of happiness, I was enveloped by a strange sadness.

The time when you returned from your trek to Nanda Devi in the Himalayas, I realized how much you enjoy trekking. Your passion for climbing, trekking and riding makes me constantly worry about the world that I, as your mom, will leave behind for you and your children.

It’s not just the future that worries me but also the present, which is equally appalling. India is a beautiful country and we have reduced its streets, rich cultural heritage and natural beauty to an open garbage site. Sometimes I actually wonder if we are so stupid that we cannot see the result of our own actions, or if we have developed apathy towards yet another important issue. The time has come to question ourselves as citizens about our own actions and the legacy we are leaving behind.

As I write these lines, I am becoming aware of the small things I can change about myself. Changing individual actions will lead to the reduced collective demand for a lot of things including recycled cheap plastic bags and bottled water. I was heartbroken to find these plastic bags and bottles thrown around even in the Everest region. I feel that we, as a generation, need to articulate our thoughts more crisply and take responsibility for our actions.

I love you a lot and don’t want to leave behind these footprints for you and my grandchildren.

With love,
Mum

Share on:
 
Send Your Own Message

More Messages to the Future

 

Dear Nephew,

I am going to start doing better to have a healthier planet for you to live on.
 

Dear Annalyse and Greyson,

See people can say they care about climate change, but caring is not action.
 

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise I will do everything I can to help fight against climate change.
 

To my future Niece,

While I will work my hardest to create any positive change I can, you must continue this quest. You cannot give up hope, and you must always remember that the beauty on this Earth is worth saving.
 

Dear future generations,

I pledge to you now that I will work tirelessly and with all my willpower so you don’t have to live in a world where you have to worry about the next storm.

 

We will look back on our time here and ask, “What did I do?”

If we truly live our present moment, maybe you’ll have a future.
 

Vitória,

Antes de realizar qualquer ação pense no meio ambiente para que suas atitudes sejam pautadas na sustentabilidade. Assim o seu pensar e agir localmente poderão resvalar na escala global.
 

For those who come after us,

This is for the countless children I already see suffering the impact of climate change around the world, and the generations to follow.
 

Queridos nietas/nietos,

Creo que debo hacer más. Por ello, he decidido escribir esta breve carta para empezar un proceso en el que vaya escribiendo más cartas, conforme vaya teniendo más claridad de mis posibles contribuciones.
 

Dear Rosie,

But when you are reading this years from now, by the light of a solar powered lamp, know that your dad, mom and millions of others who burned brightly with love for our kids did what we could, when we knew the stakes.
 

Loved One,

That we all have a role to play no matter how small, we all can make a difference.
 

dear tomorrow,

I hope that the state of the environment becomes a part of everyday discourse.
View All Messages

Send Your Own Message