Don’t Leave Your Children A Dying Planet
Today is Blog Action Day 2009, and the issue is climate change. In fact, the issue has been climate change for the last decade. Is it scientifically proven? Is it part of a liberal agenda to take over the world? Is your Congressperson being politically correct enough when they are asked about their stance on it?
As I consider how to take part in this day of action, I find myself asking “who cares?” The most dire projections about what will happen as a result of unchecked climate change aren’t scheduled to occur until the end of my lifespan…and maybe not until I’ve already passed away. What am I so worried about?
And the answer, to sound totally cliche and a little bit like a washed up celebrity concert, is:
THE KIDS. The reality is that those who stand to lose the most from inaction are the ones who have the least say in what happens regarding climate change.
Climate change deniers are banking on the fact that they won’t have to live with the consequences of their decisions, right or wrong. In the mean time, denying that climate change is human accelerated and potentially fatal for all living things is a convenient way to justify greed, laziness, irresponsibility and ignorance in all its forms.
What kind of a message is this sending to our children, the ones who will have to deal with the mess we’re making- 20, 50 and 100 years from now (if humans last that long)?
The only hope we have is that the kids will realize that those in power (the ADULTS!) have lost their ability to be spontaneous and practical. (Most) politicians have sold their souls to the bureaucratic process, happy to set up sub-committees to oversee the investigations of the committees, instead of facing the facts and making the sacrifices that buy us a little more time.
That’s why organizations like Kids vs. Global Warming are so important. Led by a now 14 year old Alex Loorz, this organization isn’t even trying to reach the adults and opinion leaders, it’s mobilizing the youth.
We are a group of kids that Educate other kids about the science of global warming and Empower them to take action. Through educational presentations, community activism projects, multi-media, and leadership training, we empower youth to use their voice, and remind kids that WE MATTER! and there really is something we do something about global warming.
For all you adults who haven’t really been paying attention to the climate change rhetoric because it’s all just (ahem) too complicated for you to figure out, Kids vs. Global Warming has a pretty comprehensive 400 word explanation for you, and it even has pictures.
I guess my point is that no matter what political party you’re affiliated with, no matter which religion you practice; there’s a good chance you love your kids with every last breath you have. If we can’t agree to take action to stop climate change for each other, can’t we agree to do it for them?
Parents always say that they would do anything for their kids. How about saving their planet?