As part of the Letters to the Future project, which coincides with the Paris climate talks, we asked local dignitaries, including activist and writer Kelly Benjamin, to offer their perspective on what out future is going to look like, which largely hinges on the climate action that's supposed to result from the upcoming summit in France.
Dear Little Ones,
I know this letter will come as poor consolation to the unimaginable hell you are likely living through as a result of the greed, selfishness, and stupidity of my generation and that of my parents, but I wanted you to know: some of us tried.
You see, in the early 21st century there was still some hope of averting disaster. A robust international climate justice movement was brewing. Armed with solid scientific consensus, thousands marched through the streets at every single UN summit demanding action to reduce carbon emissions. We fought hard against the propaganda spread by the oil companies, against the devils in suits who preached to the masses that we must keep burning, keep buying, keep heating the planet whatever the cost. I know it’s hard to believe, but some folks just didn’t believe in the greenhouse effect in the 21st century — such was the power of Fox News.
You should know that we organized protests and workshops, we wrote articles, pleaded with politicians, and raised our voices until we were hoarse. In the end, we just weren’t loud enough.
No one could foresee the final tragedy: the domino effect of the sick terrorist attack in Paris that chilled dissent at what was hoped to be a turning point: the 2015 UN Climate Summit. Demonstrations were outlawed, fear and paranoia swept through Europe, and what was to be the largest mass action on climate change to date was cancelled.
With no pressure on the bureaucrats and international attention focused on increasing xenophobia and endless warfare, it was business as usual. Far right reactionaries gained ground, Donald Trump managed to buy the U.S. Presidency and it was all downhill from there.
Academics, activists, and non-whites were rounded up and forced to live underground. The HUGE wall went up at the border and those who were allowed above ground were forced to drive a minimum of 2 SUVs and watch the Trump channel at least 5 hours a day.
Perhaps you could colonize Mars?
I’m sorry,
Love,
Kelly
Kelly Benjamin is an organizer and journalist. He will be filing reports from the Paris climate talks for CL.
This article appears in Nov 19-25, 2015.