“We, the parents, simply wish for a decent future for our children, and all children. You have the power to protect what we love. For the children of today and tomorrow, we are counting on you.” – Parent Letter to World Leaders
In an open letter addressed to world leaders, more than 150 notable parents from across the globe called for an end to the world’s “dangerous dependence on fossil fuels” ahead of the UN Summit of the Future taking place this week. Among many other notable parents, signatures included Don Cheadle, Dame Emma Thompson, Julianne Moore, Khaled Hosseini, Robert Redford and Sir Mo Farah.
Members of The Parents’ Climate Community board have added our voices, along with hundreds of other parents and grandparents worldwide. We invite you to sign on as individual caregivers as well.
Alongside the letter, Potential Energy released a powerful video, which you can watch here (and share with the hashtag #ProtectWhatWeLove).
The letter was spearheaded by Our Kids’ Climate, a global network bringing together parents and grandparents from over 55 countries to take action on climate. Our founder Eileen McGinnis is a current fellow with Our Kids’ Climate.
The letter was released against months of wrangling over whether and how to include a crucial reference to fossil fuels—the primary driver of the climate crisis—in the Summit’s key document, the Pact for the Future. The parents’ letter says: “The burning of fossil fuels drives the climate crisis, harming children now and stealing their futures. It is crucial that the Summit makes an unambiguous commitment to a just and fair transition away from fossil fuels.”
Image Credit: Climate Families NYC. A colorful and family-friendly street action last Saturday, outside the UN, organized by Climate Families NYC and Our Kids’ Climate, where the letter was read aloud by parents.