Dear Sam and Abby,
Wow,
how have times changed!! Although, I’m a
young mother to you both, I can’t help but look around and see how different
your childhood world is from the one I experienced. I’m not even twenty years older than you Sam,
with Abby only ten years behind that, and the growth in that time has been
enormous. Born in 1980, I feel blessed
to remember an era before the internet and cellphones. Having experienced the technological boom, I
can tell you both, how awestruck I still am over how fast it all happened. And now, as children of the 21st
century, you two know no other lifestyle.
Sammy, your obsession with the need for callboxes, and Abby, your
constant texting on your plastic cellphone are specific attestations to this J
As
a parent, my primary and instinctual objective is to ensure your safety. With the great innovations of the
technological boom, conversely and almost always, came an opposing negative
corollary- a destruction actually. The
industrial revolution (namely during the 1800s) to the huge material demands of
1900s has forced our planet to undergo changes to will very soon become
irreversible. My generation is probably
the youngest to see the necessity of repair and broadly incorporate it into
mainstream living, but it’ll be up to yours to actually fix it. My girls, essentially, will have to save the
planet. Don’t panic. I know you have it in you.
Lessoning
your personal (ecological) footprint is the first step. Some things of course may be out of your
control. Living in the city and not
pumping your own water from a well for instance. But even we city girls can make a
difference. I’ve attempted to
incorporate some changes into our lives.
Diet is a major factor in this.
We only purchase organic produce.
And try to buy locally grown foods if possible. This is important in
that it lessons factory and delivery repercussions out of our footprint. I have chosen a meatless diet as well. Sam, I respect your decision against this,
but I hope in time, my example will broaden your views of health and
sustainability. Although I drive an SUV,
I will likely, once you’re older Abby, switch to a more earth friendly
car. I’d assume that in the future,
public transportation will be much more accessible, which I hope you both will
take advantage of. However, recycling is
a huge part in reversing the effects of your negative footprint. And I’m proud to say that Sam, you are the
one that champions this in our home. I’m
sure Abby will follow your great example.
These
are small and easy steps to a healthier world.
Recognizing our needs versus our wants is the most important
aspect. You’ve been fortunate to lead a
life with far more niceties than most individuals on the planet. I consider our home with four TVs (that we
hardly use) and think I’m insane. Each
one of those TVs came from a polluting factory, probably employed by sweat
labor. Utilizing resources and releasing
dangerous pollutants into the air we breathe.
Delivered overseas by huge cargo containers that damage our oceans, into
massive man made ports, and then transported via huge, gasoline chugging, semi
trucks that demand constant maintenance of our roadways. Not to mention the pollution that the TV
creates in itself. This is the crucial
lesson- the chain reaction.
Understanding where our products: food, shelter, mobility, goods, and
services come from and acknowledging the repercussions is the first step
towards to a healthier future.
As
I learn and grow, and attempt to instill these values you both, I know from
what you two have already exhibited and are practicing, our earth has a chance. Sharing your valuable information and leading
by example are the best and most fulfilling components of a successful life- not
only for yourselves, but for all your fellow earthlings as well. Your generation is at the helm of a great
turning point in human history.
Make it a meaningful life.
Love,
Mom
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