Motivation to Make a Change

Dear M.L.A,

I am writing this to you from the Canadian Arctic, off the East Coast of Baffin Island. I have been aboard the Russian research vessel, the Akademik Shokalksiy for nearly twelve days, sailing from Iceland to Greenland to Baffin Island, along with twenty-seven students from Canada and around the world who have helped in teaching me that climate change is not to be ignored.

Everyone on this voyage, from the scientists to the artists to the photographer, has taught me that in order to be motivated to make a change, I have to be passionate. And I know now that, within me, there is an unyielding passion regarding this issue. I admit, three weeks ago I couldn’t be bothered to make the time to join a climate change group, or to join the environmental club in my school; now I know the first thing I’m doing upon my return.

For me, this voyage is like a Carbon Loan. On this voyage alone, I have emitted three times the amount of carbon that the average human does in one year. Some may view this as an act of a hypocrite, but the places that I’ve experienced, the activities that I’ve engaged in, and the personalities that I have been exposed to have given me the tools to start repaying that loan.

I want to thank you for expressing an interest in this voyage and the opportunities it gives to the people who can initiate change: youth. The thought alone that someone in your position cares drives youth like the incredible ones on this voyage to persist in acting on climate change.

Sincerely,
Lily J.