JULIAN FIORE

I am here because the reality of climate change has been largely ignored and dismissed by those in my life, especially my family members, and yet its effects worry me greatly for the future. I want to be a part of a movement that spreads awareness in a way that can convince those that dismiss the significance of climate change that it is a very real and present problem, without under-representing or over-representing the situation. I also want to help create a safer world for my own future, the future of my family, and the future of the overall world. Back in 9th grade biology, I was tasked with reading the book "Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet." I had never really heard about climate change before, and when I had heard about it, it was my family members saying things like "Don't worry about it- people will always find a way when it is needed." It wasn't until I read this book and was taken through the catastrophic potential at each degree of warming that I realized that now is the time when "finding a way" is needed. Yet at the same time, it feels like we have not found and committed to a route to fight back against climate change. It's very disheartening to see the societies around me refuse to take real action, and at many times it feels like fighting back is pointless. I am here so I can feel like it is not hopeless, and to be part of and observe a group that takes action and makes a difference.
The photo attached shows me playing outside, happily, as a young child. I included this photo because I am here so that this generation's children and grandchildren can have children of their own without fearing nature and without climate change making their lives much more dangerous and potentially agonizing. I want them to experience the outdoors how I did, and how generations have experienced it in the past.