Writer, environmental and human rights activist, soon-to-be glass ceiling breaker
Writer, environmental and human rights activist, soon-to-be glass ceiling breaker
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.
“Environmental rights are human rights, and human rights are environmental rights, once and for all!” I declared at the Earth day rally of my congresswoman, Pramila Jayapal.
It was a typical freezing and rainy Seattle Saturday, grey skies as far as the eye could see.
That same day, thousands of Americans were marching for science, and marching for solutions to the climate crisis that is endangering life as we know it for all of humankind.
Advertisement
Now as a 15-year-old, I’m terrified about what the future holds. I’m terrified that by the time I’m an adult, clean air and potable water will be a rare luxury. That’s why, I’ve been spending the majority of my time since the election in non-stop hustle-mode, constantly in a frenzy, managing emails to and from organizers for dozens of environmental nonprofits, attending and holding activism events, and participating in more community organizing meetings than I can count.
The current administration and congress are playing with fire, trying to suppress science and slash funding for environmental protection, putting public health and my future in serious jeopardy. The damage this administration is trying to do is astronomical, and truthfully, it breaks my heart.
Why are parents going out of their way to deny their very own children a livable future?
But the best I can do in the face of this storm, is to fight back.
I volunteer for the youth organization, Plant for The Planet, and am in the process of building a teen climate action network, Future Voters for 350ppm, fighting furiously for my right, as a young person, to a healthy atmosphere, ecosystem, and future. I will also soon become a plaintiff in a Washington State lawsuit, where youth are suing our government for refusing to pass science-based climate solution laws.
Recently, I decided to reach out to my congresswoman, asking for the opportunity to spread my message of climate justice to her constituents , and my wish was granted.
Advertisement
I got up on a small platform in a park picnic shelter, and spoke to Congresswoman Jayapal’s volunteers, organizers, and constituents, what I want the whole world to hear:
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.