Would You Like Your Children To Have a Future Here? Interview With Travelers

When I flew to Scotland I knew that I wanted to interview travelers and arrived unintentionally in the same week that the COP26 was being held in Glasgow. I knew it would help me incorporate the environment into my questions. I was surprised to find out that all my interviewees had grown up in a home that had instilled in them the importance of preserving the environment. All of them were doing things and taking action to protect the environment. It made me wonder if people who travel regularly appreciate nature and have a better understanding of the importance of preserving our environment than those who don’t.

On the last night of my trip, I slept in a hostel in Edinburgh. One of the reasons I chose to go there was to allow myself a comfortable time in which to interview travelers.

In the shared Livingroom I interviewed William, 36 from France. When I asked if he wanted children, he answered in the affirmative. After I asked him if he wanted them to enjoy our planet as much as we enjoy it, he told me that my questions led to the same answer because of course everyone wants kids and everyone wants them to enjoy our planet.

Of course that’s what the majority wants, but the majority is unaware that it’s probably not an option. I do not think he understood that I aimed to emphasize this. But still, I did not betray the goal and instead I told him my opinion.

At this moment in time, I personally do not want to have children of my own, precisely because I would want my children to enjoy Earth as much as we do or even more so. At the moment, I do not see that we are heading towards such a future. Until there is a majority working for a sustainable future and governments that support it, the future of our children is in jeopardy. As it stands today they will probably suffer from their very existence.

Do not get me wrong, I’m not hopeless, I’m hopeful that we’ll still be able to change the course, but until that happens I will not have children of my own.

In reply to what I told William, he said that he didn’t think I would find an interviewee who would answer me with the same opinion as mine. The truth is I did not expect to get a similar response to mine from the interviewees, that wasn’t the aim of the questions. The goal as I said was to show that we are working against our basic desires, which is that our children will have a future here.

At the end of the interview with William I saw a girl sitting alone at the other end of the room. I approached her and asked to interview her. She told me that her English was not so good, but that she would be happy to try to answer what she could.

I was surprised to hear that Jessica A. from Mexico, came to Scotland to visit the COP26.

(Compared to all my other interviewees – you can read more on the second article I wrote in Scotland – Live Your Life To The Fullest)

When I asked her if she wanted children she said no. I asked if I could enquire why and she answered that the state of our planet does not allow us to bring children. Just like that. A moment after William ruled out the possibility that I would get such an answer, I got it.

Except for her, all the other interviewees answered that they were interested in having children and that they would like them to enjoy Earth like us. I believe Jessica was in my path because the universe was cooperating with me. I enjoyed the synchronization and timing of her answer. It was also nice to know that there are other people who think like me. But Jessica and I are working for a future for the children of this planet even though they are not our own children. Do you have children of your own or do you intend to bring some into our world? Wouldn’t you like them to enjoy the planet and have a future here?

The universe can surprise us and help us in many ways, but in order to change our future we will also have to act towards it.

Ulricl L. from Hong Kong said she was glad that people had become aware of these problems and that she thought it was easy and friendly to act to preserve the environment. Once we become aware of the problems, the changes that need to be made in our lifestyle will be easier to carry out and can create a real impact.

 Jessica A. also thinks that in order to create significant change, we need a serious change in every person’s lifestyle, because governments do not act and create the necessary changes. She was also present at the previous climate committee held in Paris and she currently thinks they are only making false promises.

 Koishiro N. 26, from Japan, thinks it is very important to preserve the environment and educate for sustainability. He believes that Japan does a lot for the environment and appreciates the beauty of nature, but still doesn’t do enough. He thinks there is not enough information and awareness and that everyone should learn what they can do for the environment.

William also thinks it is important to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. Part of his goal is to see what he can do for a better future. He shared with me that he mostly travels by train and bicycle. He also added that in France the train system is really convenient and that it is even easier than moving around by different means of transport. In addition he tries to avoid using things that cause pollution and compares it to the cleaning process that people go through when they stop smoking. Furthermore he tries to buy local goods in order to reduce the transportation of the products he buys.

All of my interviewees testified that in their opinion this is an important issue for which lifestyle changes should be made. The future belongs to all of us, so what are you doing to secure it?

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