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 Malasher and Alex,

My goal was to help you grow into better citizens of our planet; to help you care about our natural world and to make everyday choices that reflect concern for our beautiful earth and our own health as well as encourage you to work together to make changes in our community.
 

To my great-great grandchildren,

I don’t know your name
or even if you’re alive,
but I’m doing all I can
to make sure you survive.

I’m your great- great grandmother
who lived a century ago
in a world far different
from the one you must know.
 

Dear Tomorrow,

No plastic straws, no water bottles, shop local, no meat.
 

Dear Future Sami Lee,

Everyone currently in life laughs and yells save the bees. We were a bee this year for Halloween and Lucy even came up with a great slogan “get with it honey”.
 

Olá minha querida filha Julia,

Muita Coragem e força para você enfrentar todos os desafios que virão, pois são com eles que crescemos.
 

Dear Earth,

I will keep the air clean so everyone can see the sunset.
 

Dear Asher,

All children deserve the opportunity for a meaningful, safe, and satisfied life. We hope our efforts to combat climate change and instill a love for the earth in you will help contribute to that.
 

Dear Tomorrow,

I promise to take my bike everywhere. Taking Golden Gate Transit to SF tonight.
 

To my sons,

I’m voting with climate change as a top priority. I’ve tried to teach you boys that we need to clean up after ourselves and take care of the earth. I promise to continue doing these actions and more, for your sake.
 

to my dearest children,

Our future is being made now, and I promise to do everything in my power to make yours safe.
 

Dear future generations,

My hope for you is that you can have equal experiences with nature that I was able to have with my dad.
 

To my dear son Zac,

I promise to raise you as a loving-nature human.
View All Messages

Send Your Own Message