The feeling of being small can be overwhelming, especially if you are trying to stop climate change. Obstacles come in the way of people, politics, money, large corporations, and – the most frustrating of all – denial. As a 17-year-old in rural Kipnuk, Alaska, these obstacles sometimes make me feel like a bug about to be stepped on.

People in my village have always lived in harmony and balance with the land and sea, but because of climate change we’re losing our subsistence way of life as seal and walrus can’t breed in warming temperatures. I’ve recently experienced many horrible storms, and some have forced my family to evacuate our home. Now we’re watching as our home is about to be swept into the river because the sea is rising as permafrost melts. Climate change is real, and it is happening now, and we young people have the most to lose if we don’t stop it.

This is why I, together with others from my generation, have filed a lawsuit against the State of Alaska, asking the government to protect the atmosphere by coming up with a climate recovery plan based on the best available science. Just because we can’t vote won’t stop us young people from doing what we can to help our Earth for our generation and the next ones.

Please watch the very short film on this page that tells my story.

And… PLEASE HELP! For over a year, I’ve been supported by a team of attorneys, organizations, and human rights activists that are working hard to make Alaska pay attention to what’s at stake. We have a chance to appeal my case to the Alaska Supreme Court and make the government see that my generation matters, but we only have 30 days to raise the money for the appeal.

Can you contribute $50, 20…. even just $5 to show your support of my appeal?

A little goes a long way in this campaign. And, when you donate, you’ll have an opportunity to win some great prizes too, like pizzas, iPads, Nike gift cards: http://www.crowdrise.com/give/promotions

Thank you for getting involved! Please help spread the word!

Sincerely,
Nelson Kanuk