Letter To Earth

Dear Earth,

I am writing to you with a heavy heart, filled with anger, resentment and sorrow, and a vast gratitude. Anger for the culture of reckless consumption humanity has emitted, resentful of the mistakes made by those who came before us, sorrow for the destruction we’ve exposed you to, but still, an overwhelming gratitude for the boundless beauties and experiences you provide. Sometimes I think I was placed on this Earth, at this time not only to fight for you, but to witness your final years of glory. An observer of your final years of magnificence. 

From a young age I’ve always found solace and joy in your company. Climbing your trees, rolling around in your fields & forests, swimming in your vast, cool & healing waters; sacred rituals that nurture the spirit. These simple moments of connection with the natural world shaped my childhood and instilled in me a deep reverence for the Earth and all its creatures. My father often preached ‘never harm God’s creatures or creations’, and whilst I may not always agree with the notion of a  creator, life on Earth is real, tangible and fragile, and must be protected.

As I grew older, my relationship with nature deepened, influencing my perspective on life and the world around me. I vividly recall a moment of stark realisation while traveling in Thailand’s Kho Phi Phi islands. Succeeding my anticipation of a natural beauty, I was confronted with the devastating sight of trash and refuse floating in the ocean. It was a harsh reminder of the global impact of our actions and the disproportionate burden borne by communities and ecosystems in the ‘developing’ world. This experience, among many others, fueled my commitment to environmental stewardship. I recognised that the beauty of our planet is intricately linked to its vulnerability, and that each of us bears a responsibility to protect and preserve it for future generations and the other inhabitants we share this space with. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, knowing that the health and wellbeing of our natural worlds are intertwined with our own. More so than I think we will ever learn before its destruction. 

In seeking solace and renewal, I’ve always turned to nature. As an activist of your protection, I’m acutely aware of the restorative power of these experiences. Whether awakening the body with cool and clean waters, or a deep breath of crisp and fresh air, I find peace and inspiration in the beauty that surrounds me. Simple things, taken for granted by the masses, and begged for by the poor.

Yet, even as I revel in the wonders of the natural world, I’m haunted by the knowledge that we are the stewards of its destruction. We, the short-term creatures of this planet, wield immense power and influence, but too often we wield it recklessly, without regard for consequences and without care for others. 

Earth, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the pain we’ve caused, for the scars we’ve left upon your surface. I’m sorry for the loss of life, the extinction of species, and the collapse of your delicate ecosystems. You are more than just a planet; you are a living, breathing masterpiece, teeming with life and diversity beyond measure.

Each creature, each plant, each ecosystem is a testament to your enduring beauty and resilience.  Lush jungles, home to enormous carnivorous cats,  vast oceans home to the largest creatures that ever lived, bats that roam the night, trees that touch the sky, coral and mycelium that span unfathomable distances and times. A myriad of life, experienced through a myriad of lenses, in a myriad of different habitats. Yet, we threaten to erase all of you with our ignorance and greed.

But there is hope. In the depths of despair, I find solace in the knowledge that it’s not too late to change course. We have the power to heal the wounds we’ve inflicted, to restore balance to your delicate ecosystems, and to safeguard the future of all life on Earth.

So, Earth, I pledge to do better. I pledge to be a voice for the voiceless, a champion for your protection and preservation. I pledge to utilise what I have taken from you so far, and use it for good. I pledge to inspire others to join this vital mission & to commit to reviving the world we once knew, a world where humanity and nature thrive in harmony.

With deepest regret and sincerest apologies,

Conal Judge.