There are 6.67 billion humans on planet earth; and 2.2 are between the ages of 0 an 18 years! These numbers came up in a recent planning session for a conference on climate change and children’s health. I was intrigued: What does or what will this mean? Thinking, as opposed to feeling, about these numbers, my reflection was eerily intellectual. I found myself trying to remember the formula on how to arrive at a percentage, and wondering how many of the 2.2 lived in the USA. As the conversation continued, my eyes wandered to a photo of my grandchildren sitting on my desk. There they were, ranging in age from 3 months to 10 years, all smiles, except for Riley, who with a pretty pink bow in her hair sat crying. It was at that moment that the numbers and the conversation began to breathe, and they took on a level of urgency that just moments ago was an abstraction. The most important people in my life are part of those 2.2 billion faces, and they, along with all the other children in the world, will not be excused from the consequences of climate change.
As I was making the shift from my head to my heart, Donna Goodman, Director of the Earth Child Institute shared a quote form The Little Prince by Antoine-Marie-Roger de Saint-Exupery, “It is only with the heart that one can see clearly,
what is essential is invisible to the eye.” The transition from head to heart was complete; I could clearly see the faces of Lexie, Jaxson, Luke, Henry, Riley, Hopper and Owen, “my” kids in a portrait of 2.2 billion faces. I felt intimately connected and knew that by caring for my kids that I cared for all the kids of the world.
At this moment, before my grandchildren can even comprehend the meaning of the words, millions of children are experiencing the devastating and life-changing affects of climate change. I’m old: hopefully I have another 20 to 30 years of life. Not a lot of years when you think about it. In contrast, our children and grandchildren have, if life treats them kindly, 70 to 90 years of living to navigate. What will they experience and what will be the quality of their life? Gordon Brown, prime minister of Great Britain, at a recent conference shared a glimpse of their future:
“According to estimates from the intergovernmental panel on climate change, an extra 1.8bn people – a quarter of the world’s population – could be short of water by 2080 as a result of climate change.
And the threat was not confined to people in the developing world, Brown said.
“The extraordinary summer heat wave of 2003 in Europe resulted in over 35,000 extra deaths. On current trends, such an event could become quite routine in Britain in just a few decades’ time.”
“And within the lifetime of our children and grandchildren the intense temperatures of 2003 could become the average temperature experienced throughout much of Europe. In Britain we face the prospect of more frequent droughts and a rising wave of floods.”
I’ve heard the views of those who believe that climate change is not real, or the minimzers who say that the consequences won’t be as severe as predicted, or that it is just a natural evolution of the earth. I’ve also watched and listened to the legions of the self-interested, who claim that the actions needed to reduce the causes of climate change will hurt their businesses financially. Can they not see or allow themselves to see, the faces of their children and grandchildren as they advocate for dollars over their children’s health and well-being? Maybe they think wealth will protect and excuse them from the consequences.
I’ve also listen to the majority of world leaders and scientists who say that Gordon Brown’s vision is not a probability, but a reality. And the only questions are how soon and to what extent will the consequences of climate change impact our health, our children, our lives and our planet.
Growing up, I was advised that parenting was the most important and responsible vocation I could ever aspire to. And as a parent, I’m well aware of the sacrifices required to nurture and educate children. I believe most parents agree to the covenant that they are responsible and accountable for the health, safety and well-being of their children.
For a moment, envision that your child has been ill, and after a series of diagnostic tests a highly respected doctor from a well known children’s medical facility informs you that your child has a rare and progressive life threatening disease. She indicates that the treatment recommended for this disease has been effective, but not in all cases, and with the treatment your child has a better than 65% chance of recovery. However, any delays in treatment will reduce its effectiveness and risk the chances for a full recovery. After researching on the Internet, you find that the preponderance of information supports your physician’s diagnosis. However, you do find a minority of physicians who disagree and recommend withholding treatment until additional symptoms emerge. What decision would you make? I would proceed with the treatment.
In essence, the threat of climate change and its effects are very similar to the terminal disease dilemma. We can choose to break our parental covenant and risk our children’s health and well-being on the basis of minority views and of the self-interested or choose to be courageous, and honor our primal parental covenant and fight for their right to live on a planet that is healing and moving towards a sustainable future.
In every parent’s heart there is space for enormous love and fear – emotions that can move mountains when our children are threatened. Let’s call upon the power of our love and fear to confront the challenge of climate change, which threatens our children and grandchildren’s health and future.
Our children and grandchildren hold the keys to creating and perfecting a healthier and sustainable life for their children and our planet. Don’t risk denying them and our planet of their unique presence, contributions and stewardship of our world.
The planning session for the conference on Climate change and Children’s Health began winding down. We have a name for it, Quantum Dialogue on Climate Change and Children’s Health, and I leave with a much deeper sense of my responsibility and commitment. Seeing through my heart, I can clearly see that the 2.2 billion faces are ONE face – one child, my child. And if we give this child the opportunity to thrive our child will heal and save our planet.
I urge parents and grandparents and all concerned stewards of the planet to make a contribution in the name of their the children and grandchildren to the Power of One Child + One Tree = A Sustainable Future for All. Let us be the change we want for our children and our selves.
