I’m 13 and I speak for the planet. This is a cry for help

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Hawaii Fires Power Lines (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

As summer wanes into autumn, here in the UK it has been moderately warm and pleasant. However, in Europe especially, the soaring temperatures of the hottest summer on record have caused more extreme wildfires and loss of life than ever before. These wildfires, and other extreme weather events were, in turn, caused by us.

We, who sit here in the comfort of airy, modern houses while 10 single-use, plastic fans whirr around, keeping us cool. Ironic, isn’t it?

The climate crisis is proving the ultimate test. Will the oh-so-advanced, pinnacle-of-evolution modern humans put aside their greed and ignorance, their desire for power and wealth above all else, to help the planet? Will we extend a hand of friendship and act, or lock ourselves away in a dark corner?