Dear Tomorrow,
I read everything I could find on the topic and became convininced climate change was happening. At the same time, I reached the sad conclusion that given human nature e.g. Jared Diamond’s book “Collapse,” and the overwhelming momentum of powerful forces such as population growth and the industrial blossoming of China and India, there is little or no chance to stop it. Therefore, the question in my mind became, “What will the world be like, and what will life be like for my sons and their future offspring?” I realize that I may sound like a German citizen in the late 1930s and early ’40s, who knew of the horrors, but did nothing to stop it. I recycle. I turn off lights. But on the other hand, I drive about 1,000 miles a week for my job. That’s a lot of CO2. Realistically, I can’t stop doing that. But if I could, what would that do when every month new coal fired power plants come on-line in in China and India. In sum, I don’t know what to say to you, the children of the future. I knew it was happening, but felt helpless to do anything meaningful to stop it? I’m sorry? These words won’t help you swim among the amazing fish at the coral reefs that I was able to experience. They won’t help you weather powerful storms or seemingly endless droughts. They won’t keep fine young men and women from heading off to fight in wars over potable water. All I can say is the truth. I knew this was happening. I was a willing contributor to the problem, and I did nothing meaningful to stop it. I am guilty.