Georgia Henry

• I AM sorry to say that I don’t have the guts to miss any more of my lessons by going on strike or to miss my GCSEs.

I’m sorry that I don’t want to be seen as rude and ungrateful by telling my relatives and friends to not get me anything that adds to our carbon footprint.

And I am sorry that I still do buy myself a new top or some jeans now and then even if it may be from somewhere a tad more ethical than some other shops.

I am sorry for my selfishness. I wish I could do better.

But this just shows how messed up the world is, making a kid feel bad about anything that they do in case it causes more damage to the planet.

As well as making them lose hope that their dreams will come true because this world might not be here by the time they can accomplish them; and to make them feel scared for their future instead of excited. This is wrong not just ethically but morally too.

We can all try our best to make the little choices in our everyday lives to help save the planet. We can all have a vegan meal. But nothing will change until the governments force businesses to be more environmentally friendly.

Because no one can fully commit when there’s an easier option right in front of them. The cheaper option.

Even a massive eco organisation like Green­peace sometimes takes the cheaper option. When I went there last summer for work experience they had plastic pens mainly used for promotion.

They had plastic which you could roll out of the pen like a scroll describing what they do and support. Does that sound like it’s saving the planet?

There are also people who not only take the easier option, but are forced to because of their financial situations. There are so many in the world wishing to save the planet but not being able to.

And by purchasing these cheaper items, it not only negatively impacts the climate but it also gives those non-ecological businesses more consumers, therefore leading them to produce more products. A vicious cycle that needs to stop.

Leaders, politicians, businesses – you need to make better choices. And the rest of us, we will kick up a fuss, we will fight for our future, we will fight for justice!

Stop pushing this back, ignoring it! I am not saying that issues like Brexit are unimportant. However, compared to climate change they are miniscule.

Climate change affects us all; is what will kill us all. But I don’t think that I need to show you any of the mind-blowing evidence of this, do I? I think that you can just switch the news on and find out for yourself.

GEORGIA HENDY
Pupil aged 15
Parliament Hill School