The Iroquois had a wise concept known as the Seventh Generation Principle, and it was so vital that it was embedded in their Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy. “The Seventh Generation philosophy is central to Haudenosaunee culture,” explained Chief Thomas White, a member of the Iroquois League. “[The Peacemaker advised us to] make decisions that benefit the seven generations to come, so they can relish what you have today.”
As parents, we need to adopt this mindset when contemplating climate change and ask ourselves: Are our choices truly in the best interest of our children and their future?
The reality of climate change is undeniable. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) predicts that Earth’s temperature could rise by an additional 0.5 to 8.6ºF over the next century. We’re already witnessing shifts in rainfall patterns that lead to more floods, droughts, and intense storms, alongside rising ocean temperatures and acidification. The consequences of these transformations will likely create significant challenges for society and the environment. Imagine more hurricanes, dwindling coral reefs, melting glaciers, and even fewer Indonesian islands. The primary culprit? The alarming levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide we continuously release into the atmosphere.
This is the legacy we are leaving for our children. Therefore, as parents, we must prioritize efforts to combat climate change. If we allow it to spiral unchecked, our kids will be the first to face the catastrophic aftermath of climate change. They might witness New York City, including Manhattan, submerged as rising sea levels flood parts of the city, triggering massive evacuations reminiscent of Hurricane Sandy.
In fact, heat waves could result in “approximately 110 to 260 additional heat-related deaths annually in New York City.” The situation is so dire that a report released in 2013, the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR), outlines strategies to create a more resilient New York City in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, with a long-term focus on mitigating climate change impacts.
According to Rolling Stone, a one-foot increase in sea levels (expected by 2030) could render streets “impassable at high tide,” causing traffic chaos and skyrocketing flood insurance costs, ultimately decreasing property values in vulnerable neighborhoods. While this paints a grim picture for New York, similar scenarios will unfold in other coastal cities like Miami, Galveston, and Hampton Roads, Virginia.
And let’s not forget the natural wonders at stake. The glaciers of Kilimanjaro could vanish by 2030, and we have already seen a loss of 400 billion tons of glacier mass since 1994. The United States Geological Survey reports that many glaciers in Glacier National Park are already gone, and it is projected that some of the park’s largest glaciers will disappear by 2030. I fondly recall visiting Glacier National Park as a child, and when I take my own kids there, they will see far fewer glaciers than I did just 25 years ago. Their children may not see any at all.
If we neglect climate change, we are depriving our children of the natural beauty that should be their inheritance. We are failing to care for the Earth for the sake of the seventh generation.
Coral reefs, another natural treasure, are also suffering due to climate change. Warmer and more acidic ocean waters are bleaching or outright killing coral. According to Teach Ocean Science, if we continue to emit carbon dioxide at our current pace, ocean pH levels could drop to 7.8, leading to the disintegration of coral reefs. Imagine your children missing out on snorkeling adventures at the Great Barrier Reef or countless Caribbean reefs.
Steps We Can Take to Combat Global Warming
Fortunately, there are steps we can take to combat global warming:
- Urge your senators and representatives to uphold the Paris Agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
- Advocate against climate change deniers in powerful positions, like Myron Ebell, Trump’s EPA pick.
- Reduce your carbon footprint; switch to compact fluorescent bulbs to save on electricity.
- Walk more and drive less, or consolidate trips to minimize driving.
- As outlined in Conserve Energy Future’s “35 Ways to Stop Global Warming,” reduce, reuse, and recycle. For instance, repurposing yogurt containers as doggy bags can replace Styrofoam.
- Use less hot water.
- Plant a tree.
- Choose products with less packaging.
- Bring reusable totes to the store.
- Consider eating less meat.
Above all, instill a sense of environmental stewardship in your children. Teach them the importance of recycling and engage them in tree-planting activities (it could be a fun science project too). Take them to witness our natural wonders before they fade away and engage in discussions about climate change.
Encourage them to care for the Earth with a mindset geared towards the seventh generation. By doing so, we can hope to slow down this climate change beast.
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In summary, as parents, we must prioritize our planet and actively combat climate change for the benefit of our children and future generations. Let’s ensure that the natural wonders we cherish today are not lost to the ravages of climate change.