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The World’s Elders to Younger Generations: ‘Enjoy Nature, or What’s Left of It’
On the International Day of Families, 15 elders around the world share their hopes for a planet where future generations can thrive.
Every May 15, the International Day of Families celebrates the foundational ties that bind us from birth. Going back generations, from parents to distant ancestors, families have always been the core of human society.
This year, on the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family, the theme is “Families & Climate Change.” Families often bear the brunt of climate change. Whether it’s the rise in floods, storms, droughts and wildfires, which can disrupt food systems and uproot whole communities, or the slow burn of environmental pollution, households are in the crosshairs of our warming planet.
Between 2016 and 2021, an estimated 43 million children were driven from their homes due to weather-related disasters, according to UNICEF. The good news is that families also play a key role in reversing this same devastation.
Older generations around the world hold essential wisdom to reversing the disastrous impacts of climate change, from drought mitigation to sustainable agriculture. The same goes for the indigenous families living in their ancestral lands around the world.
In fact, over 80% of the planet’s biodiversity is owned or governed by indigenous peoples, and most of that land is in good ecological condition, according to a 2023 report from the World Economic Forum.
For this year’s International Day of Families, Global Press Journal’s team of reporters struck out to ask elders in their communities about what they’ve seen and what their hopes are for future generations.
Bilegdemberel Daramragchaa, 68, and Azzaya Damdinsuren, 5
Erdenebulgan, Khuvsgul province, Mongolia
"When we were young, rain used to drizzle softly and gently, making the land and earth wet and green. But now, it rains as if it poured down with buckets of water suddenly, which does not absorb into the surface. Nevertheless, Mongolians will exist as long as the livestock exists. That is why I would like to raise my granddaughter loving her livestock and nature, and to instill in her life skills to be able to overcome difficulties."
Erdenebulgan, Khuvsgul province, Mongolia
"When we were young, rain used to drizzle softly and gently, making the land and earth wet and green. But now, it rains as if it poured down with buckets of water suddenly, which does not absorb into the surface. Nevertheless, Mongolians will exist as long as the livestock exists. That is why I would like to raise my granddaughter loving her livestock and nature, and to instill in her life skills to be able to overcome difficulties."
Maydaliz Vázquez Valentín, 59, and Alynna Gómez Acosta, 1
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
“I’ve gone through two hurricanes: George and Maria. [Hurricane] Fiona was normal, but there was nothing like Maria. I saw it from the balcony [of the house]. It was such a shock. The front end of the car lifted up. I saw how the wind moved it. My hope is for Alynna to keep growing and for God to fill her with health. And that whatever she wants to study or do in life, she’ll get it. My hope is to continue watching her grow.”
Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
“I’ve gone through two hurricanes: George and Maria. [Hurricane] Fiona was normal, but there was nothing like Maria. I saw it from the balcony [of the house]. It was such a shock. The front end of the car lifted up. I saw how the wind moved it. My hope is for Alynna to keep growing and for God to fill her with health. And that whatever she wants to study or do in life, she’ll get it. My hope is to continue watching her grow.”
Deivendrampillai Rajamalar, 70, and Inthirakumar Thivija, 12
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
“Climate change is due to the destruction of natural resources in the name of technology. We destroy nature, and nature destroys us. Earlier, our place was surrounded by many trees. Now buildings have been occupied. Excessive temperature has occurred. My granddaughter is now 12 years old. As she's a girl, she requires extra attention. Raising children has become a challenging task for parents. The level of education among the present children has risen a lot. My expectation is not only in education but also to have balanced behavior."
Jaffna, Sri Lanka
“Climate change is due to the destruction of natural resources in the name of technology. We destroy nature, and nature destroys us. Earlier, our place was surrounded by many trees. Now buildings have been occupied. Excessive temperature has occurred. My granddaughter is now 12 years old. As she's a girl, she requires extra attention. Raising children has become a challenging task for parents. The level of education among the present children has risen a lot. My expectation is not only in education but also to have balanced behavior."
Marie Ange Limbele, 76, and Naomie Ngonda, 5
Kabondo, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
“I have been very surprised by the abrupt climate change phenomenon. Growing up, we didn't experience repetitive flooding like we do today, it was just coincidental. Given our environment, despite the challenges, our hope is that young people can enjoy their time on Earth and all its natural phenomena. I'm going to wish, as I have done with my granddaughter since she was a child, that she gets to understand life in its entirety, that she grows up to understand what it means to live as a family, how to enjoy the good things in life together with older people.”
Kabondo, Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo
“I have been very surprised by the abrupt climate change phenomenon. Growing up, we didn't experience repetitive flooding like we do today, it was just coincidental. Given our environment, despite the challenges, our hope is that young people can enjoy their time on Earth and all its natural phenomena. I'm going to wish, as I have done with my granddaughter since she was a child, that she gets to understand life in its entirety, that she grows up to understand what it means to live as a family, how to enjoy the good things in life together with older people.”
Francisca Negrón Cruz, 75, and Yandiel O. Román Villafañe, 15
Utuado, Puerto Rico
“What is happening in the world is because we aren’t taking care of the environment now. We are worried about many things happening in society and the world, but we aren’t caring for our surroundings, dealing with everything that damages the air, the water, the land. The hope for younger people depends on what we all do now. One example is that we all learn and gain the ability to recycle because, if not, the environment will be too damaged for when they are older. The consequences will be irreversible if we don’t act right now.”
Utuado, Puerto Rico
“What is happening in the world is because we aren’t taking care of the environment now. We are worried about many things happening in society and the world, but we aren’t caring for our surroundings, dealing with everything that damages the air, the water, the land. The hope for younger people depends on what we all do now. One example is that we all learn and gain the ability to recycle because, if not, the environment will be too damaged for when they are older. The consequences will be irreversible if we don’t act right now.”
Narantsetseg Shagdarjav, 68, and Namuuntsetseg Bayarsaikhan, 3
Erdenebulgan, Arkhangai province, Mongolia
“In Mongolia, floods occur frequently in summer, costing human life, while millions of cattle are killed by the dzud in winter. I had lived in the countryside herding livestock all my life, and I had never felt the dangers of the dzud like now when I was younger. Since we live in a residential area now, in a safe place, I worry very much about my cattle every time it snows and as soon as the weather gets worse. I wish my granddaughter would live healthily, learning many things, and with satisfaction in a more peaceful, safe place in the future."
Erdenebulgan, Arkhangai province, Mongolia
“In Mongolia, floods occur frequently in summer, costing human life, while millions of cattle are killed by the dzud in winter. I had lived in the countryside herding livestock all my life, and I had never felt the dangers of the dzud like now when I was younger. Since we live in a residential area now, in a safe place, I worry very much about my cattle every time it snows and as soon as the weather gets worse. I wish my granddaughter would live healthily, learning many things, and with satisfaction in a more peaceful, safe place in the future."
Ferris Mauwa, 73, and Ephar Nyamuremwa, 19
Harare, Zimbabwe
“In the past, it was well known when rains would come and people would prepare their fields well in advance, but with climate change, all that has changed and there is a risk of hunger because of climate change-induced droughts. We would harvest a lot in the past but as it is right now the seasons are no longer easy to follow and we are currently experiencing a drought in Zimbabwe. For the young ones, we encourage them to make use of climate change adaptation mechanisms in order to survive in these changing conditions.”
Harare, Zimbabwe
“In the past, it was well known when rains would come and people would prepare their fields well in advance, but with climate change, all that has changed and there is a risk of hunger because of climate change-induced droughts. We would harvest a lot in the past but as it is right now the seasons are no longer easy to follow and we are currently experiencing a drought in Zimbabwe. For the young ones, we encourage them to make use of climate change adaptation mechanisms in order to survive in these changing conditions.”
Sinnaiya Valliyammai, 87, and Vinotharan Vinothini, 5
Cheddikulam, Sri Lanka
"In my 87 years of life, I feel that the heat has accumulated massively. Earlier, when the sun's rays touched the body, it felt hot. But now, it burns. [I hope that] all the little children should study well and be in good health.”
Cheddikulam, Sri Lanka
"In my 87 years of life, I feel that the heat has accumulated massively. Earlier, when the sun's rays touched the body, it felt hot. But now, it burns. [I hope that] all the little children should study well and be in good health.”
Ana María Fernández Eugenio, 80, and Silvia Tamar González Álvarez, 23
Mexico City, Mexico
"I would like [my granddaughter] to have the experience I did, because I saw how the water ran down the ravines, and you don’t see that now. I remember scratching at the sand in the ravine and how the water would start to flow out. And we drank from there with our hands. But it’s all dried up now. I hope my granddaughter will always be able to have water, that she won’t have any more problems with water shortages. I would like [my granddaughter] to be able to enjoy herself in nature someday, like I did when I was a girl. I hope she will always be able to see the trees and plants bloom.”
Mexico City, Mexico
"I would like [my granddaughter] to have the experience I did, because I saw how the water ran down the ravines, and you don’t see that now. I remember scratching at the sand in the ravine and how the water would start to flow out. And we drank from there with our hands. But it’s all dried up now. I hope my granddaughter will always be able to have water, that she won’t have any more problems with water shortages. I would like [my granddaughter] to be able to enjoy herself in nature someday, like I did when I was a girl. I hope she will always be able to see the trees and plants bloom.”
Tikaram Khanal, 61, and Success Khanal, 1
Jhapa, Nepal
“It no longer rains as heavily as it did before. Floods and landslides have begun to increase. The timing of winter and summer has also changed. Winters are not particularly cold, and summers are extremely hot. Crops are no longer growing as well as they once did. I believe that all of this is due to climate change. I hope that the current generation establishes the rule of law in this country and manages it systematically. Although there is a wave of people leaving the country for higher education and employment due to dissatisfaction with the country's situation, since no one in my family has gone abroad yet and, as citizens, we are also responsible for building the country, I hope that this generation will invest their labor and skills here.”
Jhapa, Nepal
“It no longer rains as heavily as it did before. Floods and landslides have begun to increase. The timing of winter and summer has also changed. Winters are not particularly cold, and summers are extremely hot. Crops are no longer growing as well as they once did. I believe that all of this is due to climate change. I hope that the current generation establishes the rule of law in this country and manages it systematically. Although there is a wave of people leaving the country for higher education and employment due to dissatisfaction with the country's situation, since no one in my family has gone abroad yet and, as citizens, we are also responsible for building the country, I hope that this generation will invest their labor and skills here.”
Bernadette Kavira Mupenda, 90, and Josué Kakule Kahongya, 6
Kasungano, Kirumba, Democratic Republic of Congo
"The seasons today are not the same as in the past. Everything has changed. Nowadays, rains and droughts come when we don't expect them. Agricultural activities face difficulties as a result of these disruptions. We will continue to suffer because we are destroying our Earth by treating it very badly. There will be famine. This is a disaster. We must take care of nature. My wish for my grandchild is to live a long life, fearing God and respecting his parents for their longevity, and to not be subject to bad influences.”
Kasungano, Kirumba, Democratic Republic of Congo
"The seasons today are not the same as in the past. Everything has changed. Nowadays, rains and droughts come when we don't expect them. Agricultural activities face difficulties as a result of these disruptions. We will continue to suffer because we are destroying our Earth by treating it very badly. There will be famine. This is a disaster. We must take care of nature. My wish for my grandchild is to live a long life, fearing God and respecting his parents for their longevity, and to not be subject to bad influences.”
Olga Cano González, 55, and Rubén Jesús Méndez Cadena, 4
Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico
“Drought ruined the crops. Whatever they planted, just like that, they dried up this year. Before, you could harvest a lot. The hope I have is that my grandchildren will be able to enjoy nature, or what’s left of it, before something really bad happens.”
Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico
“Drought ruined the crops. Whatever they planted, just like that, they dried up this year. Before, you could harvest a lot. The hope I have is that my grandchildren will be able to enjoy nature, or what’s left of it, before something really bad happens.”
Eliane Destin, 70, and Laura Destin, 8
Carrefour, Port-au-Prince
“I have seen firsthand the effects of climate change here in Haiti – cyclones, droughts, water shortages. We may think there is no hope, but we can change things by investing in education to promote collective awareness.”
Carrefour, Port-au-Prince
“I have seen firsthand the effects of climate change here in Haiti – cyclones, droughts, water shortages. We may think there is no hope, but we can change things by investing in education to promote collective awareness.”
Manbir Sanjyal, 54, and Stuta Sanjyal, 5
Kathmandu, Bagmati province, Nepal
“Bajura has received very little rain recently. As a result, crop yields have decreased. The crops that had been sown after months of hard work were insufficient to feed the entire year. Too many people have moved from villages to other places. In the villages, hospitals and schools are very far away. That's why I couldn't study during my childhood. I was unable to receive treatment in my old age. Another reason I moved to Kathmandu was to secure my grandchildren’s future and provide them with a quality education. I wish my granddaughter would study, become a doctor and establish a hospital in the village so that people do not have to travel far for treatment.”
Kathmandu, Bagmati province, Nepal
“Bajura has received very little rain recently. As a result, crop yields have decreased. The crops that had been sown after months of hard work were insufficient to feed the entire year. Too many people have moved from villages to other places. In the villages, hospitals and schools are very far away. That's why I couldn't study during my childhood. I was unable to receive treatment in my old age. Another reason I moved to Kathmandu was to secure my grandchildren’s future and provide them with a quality education. I wish my granddaughter would study, become a doctor and establish a hospital in the village so that people do not have to travel far for treatment.”
Kisakye Thelma, 62, and Julia Kisakye, 9
Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda
“I have witnessed heavy rains and extreme heat, especially in recent years. The rainy seasons are not as consistent as they used to be which makes where I live in a swamp unbearable during the rainy season. I hope housing, especially in urban areas, is better planned. Let them preserve nature, so more can live in cleaner environments.”
Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda
“I have witnessed heavy rains and extreme heat, especially in recent years. The rainy seasons are not as consistent as they used to be which makes where I live in a swamp unbearable during the rainy season. I hope housing, especially in urban areas, is better planned. Let them preserve nature, so more can live in cleaner environments.”
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