Dear kids,
How many hours have we spent at the beach? I’m not sure we could count even if we tried. The beach and all of its wonders are part of you at some deep cellular level. The sound of the waves. The cold Pacific water. The sand between your toes and in your ear. How exactly does sand get in your ear??
The US Government wants to destroy the California coast that you know and love. This breaks my heart in so many ways. Why, in 2017, are we extracting more fossil fuels from the earth? Why would we permanently destroy habitats and ecosystems on which our life on this planet depends? The greed and short-sightedness that drives this is breathtaking.
Thank goodness that people around the country are speaking up and telling our federal government that this isn’t okay. On behalf of you, the future generation, this is not okay.
The US Government is asking for comments about their recommendation to drill for oil near our beaches. Before July 26, 2017. That’s now.
Kids, this is a great opportunity for people to show they care about this stuff.
Adults are providing public comments here. Learning more about it here. Following the conversation and posting with #StandUpForSanctuaries. Even fisher-people are standing up and making their voice heard.
I am hopeful that the US Government won’t start drilling for oil near the beaches we love. Or any beach for that matter. I have to have hope that we’ll put our planet first, not an outdated and wrong-headed notion of what this country is/was. I have this hope for you, for the future generations.
All this talk of beaches has got me thinking that we’re due for some sand between our toes. It’s summer and time to go to the beach.
Love you lots,
Mom
Annie S. Burke 