Letters to the Earth: writing to a planet in crisis / introduction by Emma Thompson

How can we begin to talk about what is happening to the world? We are facing a global emergency. Temperatures are rising. Mass species extinction has begun. The time for denial is over. It is time to act. Letters to the Earth is the beginning of a new story. It is an invitation to act and an opportunity to extend the invitation. These letters are the result of a callout from Culture Declares Emergency to the public to write a response to climate and ecological emergency. They are letters from all of us: parents and children; politicians and poets; actors and activists; songwriters and scientists. They are letters of Love, Loss Hope and Action to a planet in crisis. The largest creative response to the climate crisis the world has yet seen. 2019 was the year of rebellion. It was the year nurses, poets, nine-year olds and grandparents came together to say: we know the truth about climate change - now it is time to act. But what words describe this crisis' What words can help our children come to terms with the future they will inherit' Earlier this year, Culture Declares Emergency invited people from all around the world to find those words by writing a letter to the earth. The invitation was open to all - to think beyond the human narrative and bear witness to the scale of the crisis. Letters of love, protest, lamentation and hope were written by over 1000 people. Now published as a collection, Letters To The Earth brings together the voices of children with authors, scientists and playwrights in the first collective creative project of its kind. Alongside letters from the public, Letters To The Earth received submissions from artist and peace activist Yoko Ono, leading feminist thinker Rebecca Solnit, award-winning poet Kate Tempest, writer and illustrator of The Lost Words Jackie Morris, novelist Anna Hope, LGBT activist Matthew Todd and environmental writers Jay Griffiths and Rob Cowen. Together they are in invitation to consider how this existential threat affects the way we live our lives and the action we take. Lots of books consider the climate crisis from a political or scientific perspective, but Letters To The Earth is the first book to chronicle how humankind is collectively processing planetary crisis. The words we need at this time come not simply from the pens of the critically acclaimed, but from the lips of children. This remarkable collection is the writing of our times The largest creative response to the climate and ecological emergency the world has yet seen. 2019 was the year of rebellion. It was the year nurses, poets, nine-year-olds and grandparents came together to say: we know the truth about climate change now it is time to act. But what words describe this crisis? What words can help our children come to terms with the future they will inherit? Earlier this year, Culture Declares Emergency invited people from all around the world to find those words by writing a letter to the earth. The invitation was open to all to think beyond the human narrative and bear witness to the scale of the crisis. Letters of love, loss, hope and action were written by over 1000 people. Now published as a collection, Letters to the Earth brings together the voices of children and the public with authors, scientists and playwrights in the first creative project of its kind. Alongside letters from the public, Letters to the Earth received submissions from artist and peace activist Yoko Ono , actor Mark Rylance , writer and illustrator of The Lost Words Jackie Morris , novelist Anna Hope , environmental writer Jay Griffiths and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas . Together they are an invitation to consider how this existential threat affects the way we live our lives and the action we take. Lots of books consider the climate and ecological crisis from a political or scientific perspective, but Letters to the Earth is the first book to chronicle how humankind is collectively processing planetary crisis. A profound, powerful and moving collection of 100 letters from around the world responding to the climate crisis, introduced by Emma Thompson and lovingly illustrated by CILIP award winner Jackie Morris. 'All power to this amazing project.' JOANNE HARRIS'Makes sense of the climate crisis in a whole new way' MAGID MAGID How can we begin to talk about what is happening to the world? How can we explain to our children, and to ourselves, what the future of our planet might look and feel like? Letters to the Earthis the beginning of a new conversation. One that attempts to answer some of these questions by listening to the voices of parents and children; politicians and poets; songwriters and scientists. Gathering together over 100 letters written in response to the climate emergency, each entry begins to give language to the unspeakable, and shows how our collective power is present when we are ready to slow down and listen to each other. It's natural to feel worried or concerned about what the future of the earth holds. These letters are an opportunity to reflect on our connection to the planet and each other in times of crisis. They are also an opportunity to act and respond to this crisis. To put pen to paper and make your voice heard. Includes contributions from activist Yoko Ono, actor Mark Rylance, poet Kate Tempest, author Laline Paull, illustrator of The Lost Words Jackie Morris, novelist Anna Hope, environmental writer Jay Griffiths Green Party MP Caroline Lucas. , Booker prize Winning author Ben Okri and actor Freya Mavor. A Profound, Powerful And Moving Collection Of 100 Letters From Around The World Responding To The Climate Crisis, Introduced By Emma Thompson And Lovingly Illustrated By Cilip Award Winner Jackie Morris. ‘all Power To This Amazing Project.’ Joanne Harris ‘makes Sense Of The Climate Crisis In A Whole New Way’ Magid Magid