To the editor:

Kids, you are one of the greatest generations ever to live on Earth. You care about people, and you care about your planet. I am sorry that many of those in power in the U.S. do not share those sentiments. My generation has not shouldered its responsibility as stewards of the earth. Global warming is a fact. The signs are everywhere.

I am sorry that we are saddling you with an enormous debt that may never come out of the red. Irresponsible spending and absurd tax cuts, among other things, are contributing to this burden we are handing to you.

We have obscenely large automobiles that use a finite, polluting resource that make us beholden to countries that can blackmail us. This dependence has made some people consider desecration of pristine wilderness areas instead of trying to fix the problem.

Kids, I am so sorry my generation has done this to you. I wish I could change that as an individual, but sadly, I cannot. I sincerely hope the damage we have done to you and your Earth can be undone before it is too late. It is way beyond time for my generation, your parents, to start taking care of our kids the way we should. Our legacy to you should not be what it is. Shame on us!

Kathy Schott Gates,

Lawrence