No Thanks Necessary
I’ve been in the environmental field fairly consistently for the last decade, whether studying or working, and I don’t want your thanks.
I graduated with a master’s degree in Environmental Change and Management, or as I describe it to people, climate change policy. During school and while job hunting my answer when people asked me what I do was that I work on climate change. Their response was always some variation of “so climate change is real?” (with intense sarcasm), “thank you, we need people like you,” or “you’re going to save the planet.”
The idea that I have signed up to be a savior is not a new response, but it has become wildly frustrating. For it inherently passes the buck. It is as if my decision to make a career out of keeping the planet habitable somehow means it is my sole responsibility and failure to do so lies with me and others who have chosen to dedicate their lives to bettering the world, not the “average” person.
I don’t want your thanks. I want your action.
Saving the planet, preserving biodiversity, ensuring clean water for all — these are not the type of goals that can be achieved by a few specialized individuals. It requires all of us. The entire world, no exceptions. Some of us may have chosen to make these endeavors our careers but we cannot do it alone. Every skill and every voice is needed.
So please, stop thanking us for saving the planet. Instead, tell us what you’re doing to save it.
