Dear Mother Earth,

I want to apologize for all the times we have let you down. For the times we continue to let you down, turning a blind eye to the horrors humankind has put you through.

I want to apologize for our inability to face the facts that we are causing you harm, and for our shortcomings as a whole. We continue to fail you. We take endlessly from you, and do not return equally.

We refuse to hold ourselves accountable for the ways in which we pollute you and poison you, filling your air with toxins and your seas with garbage. 

We continue to act as though you are dispensable, when in reality you are all that we have, and everything that we have - life as we know it would cease to exist without your nurturing existence.

Yet you remain solid, undergoing the harsh effects of climate change, but then again, do you have a choice?

I apologize for our ignorance, and for our hasty reaction to turn against you when times get hard. Times are hard right now, and many of us have lost faith in your exquisiteness. Lately, you feel like a scary and sad place, but I want you to know that I still appreciate you. I believe in what you have offered (and will continue to offer) us.

My hope is that it won’t take times of scarcity and isolation to aid us in realizing your worth. I hope that we can move forward with actions that no longer take you for granted. I hope that we, as humans can care for you better. Look after you. Make you feel loved.

And in these times, when it is more difficult to see the beauty around us and feel grateful for the home we have been given, I hope that the fear doesn’t drive out the reminders of hope.

You are the only earth we have, and I want you to know that your beauty does not go unnoticed.

Sincerely,

Humankind