Yesterday the kids and I went to see a documentary entitled Antarctica: On the Edge at OMSI, our local science museum. As you could probably predict, the film, which was full of penguins and seals and fantastic photography, had an underlying theme of climate change.
At one point during the film they were showing the collapse of two ice shelves, followed by several scenes of glaciers calving. After one particularly dramatic calving event, where an amazing glacier arch collapsed, Finn leaned over towards me and said "Mom, there's a good chance that when Phoebe and I are grown ups, there won't even be a world anymore".
That is the moment when my heart broke.
My 8 year old, still so young and innocent, understood what was happening to our planet better than all of the old white men in suits who run it.
And how can I, as his mother, just sit here and let this happen? I can't.
Tears started to run down my face, and at that moment, I vowed to myself that I needed to work harder to fix what is happening all around me. For many years I have been involved in environmental causes: teaching environmental science, climate organizations, rallies and protests. But, I knew then and there that it wasn't enough.
How can I just watch while my beautiful children witness their world breaking apart? A world that was handed to them full of problems that they weren't the cause of. And how can I just stand by and accept it as if it is our fate?
Well, I won't.
I can't.
I have two incredible people who are depending on me to help fix it.
I know... have you watched about the rainforest yet and how much of it is being chopped down for feed lots? Mind blowing and pretty sad to think that it may not be there when our kids are adults. I guess....do the best with what you know and when you know better...do better. I wish everyone could live this way.
ReplyDeleteYou may enjoy the documentary Cowspiracy.
Oh wow, a heart breaking moment indeed. It is often a thought that crosses my mind...exactly what kind of world are we leaving for our children, and the generations to come after them. We need to do more to ensure we leave a world behind we can be proud of.
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