BELA SCHULTZ

'Despite  a worsening climate crisis, I never questioned if I would have  children. Not having a child was a sacrifice I wasn’t willing to make –  but how could I justify that decision as someone committed to addressing  climate change? I found the answer when I became a big sister at the  age of 20. I now have two brothers, ages 3 and 5, who do demand a lot –  time, money, resources. But they also possess curious minds and  malleable perspectives. My parents taught them the magic and mystery  imbued in nature. Every pause in their days was taken outside, on walks  through the woods and dips in cold mountain streams. One day, the 5 year  old painstakingly explained microplastics in the ocean and how they  hurt wildlife, and we talked about how avoiding plastic and sourcing  locally are how to protect our fish friends. Children aren’t only  vacuums for resources – they can be raised into intentional and educated  actors who are forces for change. I know my future child will be.'