Hey, Mother Nature.

It’s me, Kennedy. I have a few things to tell you that I need to get off my chest on behalf of (most) humans.

I know for hundreds and thousands of years, we humans have caused some damage to you. Pollution in all aspects like air, water and land pollution from factories, vehicle exhaustion, landfills and everything in between have caused you harm.

I want to sincerely apologize for this abuse we have caused you, primarily within the past 100 years.

New inventions and new technology have caused us to make very poor decisions when it comes to conserving you and the planet. How can someone be so mean to their own mother?

I feel awful.

I am guilty of it, as well as 99.9 percent of the humans who have lived on your beautiful planet. I have definitely traveled by plane, train and automobile multiple times…even when walking or biking was an option.

I want to say I am sorry.

I also have thrown plastic, paper, aluminum and other recyclables into the trash when, indeed, I could have put them in the blue or green bin to be made into something else. I feel awful every time I do it, because I do not want to hurt you.

As technology has improved, you now have to deal with our electronic waste. This was not a problem until the past 50 years or so, and I again, want to apologize. This should not be your burden.

We should be innovative and find new ways to make sure each and every used cell phone, computer or technological device finds a way of being recycled. That way, you do not have to deal with the consequences of land and water pollution.

I hope you, Mother Nature, accept my apology.

I know this open letter to you will not cure the damage to our planet, or change the erratic weather you have been ejecting onto us, but I wanted to show my feelings and support for you. I will do better.

I know you have been mad at us for neglecting and abusing you, so you decide it is a good idea to have snow fall one day, be 55 degrees the next and even flood the day after that.

I think we deserve this, for we have not preserved you or been kind to you in the past and present, and I am sure things may get worse in the future if we don’t change now.

Climate change is real. Let’s try harder. Let’s do better.

Kennedy Nolen is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or kdnolen@eiu.edu.