Dear Mr. Prime Minister and all those it may concern,
In September of 2019, one year ago, a young woman name Emma Lim took a pledge: No Future, No Children. Many other youth joined her in this. They swore they would not have children of their own until the future was safe. While many young adults haven’t taken an official pledge, many are simply not having kids for the same reasons Emma isn’t. Why bring a child into a world that won’t be safe?
I’ve written you a letter a week since last December. In letter 21 I discussed the climate anxiety that I, and many, many other children face. But I want to bring your attention to just how much climate change affects the life choices of those who are aware of its consequences. People are taking different career paths, battling anxiety and of course not having kids.
The youth are acutely aware of this issue. We’re terrified for our future and for our children. Every single day we have to wake up and face this crisis and what it will mean for us.
Last Friday I attended my local School Strike. While the global day of action (25th of September) was smaller this year because of the pandemic, we still showed up in big numbers. We act out of fear for our lives. You do not have this fear. But you do have compassion. So I want you to act out of compassion for us. Out of compassion for the people all around the world already facing this crisis. Out of compassion for all our un-born children.
Back in 2019, in an interview with CBC Montreal’s Daybreak, Emma Lim said that the patriotism she felt as a child fades as her government fails to act in her and her unborn children’s interest. I have heard that sentiment echoed again and again from Canadian youth fed up with being fearful for the future.
You have a duty to us and you are letting us down. Children, actual children, are literally contemplating the implications of global politics on whether they and their children are allowed to have a livable future. This is heart breaking. This is unacceptable. This is something you can put an end to. Promise the children of Canada a livable future, and follow through on that promise. There is no leadership without this.
I hope you have a wonderful day!
Amelia Penney-Crocker