Hello Friend

tanjabrittonwriter 45 Comments

Hello friend,

It has been my intention for many months to write to you but I have struggled to put pen to paper—or fingers to keyboard. Personal, family, and global turmoil have left me feeling uninspired, uninspiring, and cynical, and I’m afraid this letter will not be upbeat. I have long been debating whether to write it at all.

Are you sad? Depressed? Then you are not alone. I have never wanted to add to all the negative news out there, but find it exceedingly difficult to pretend that everything is ok, or will be. Wherever I look and listen, the world as we have known is barely recognizable.

I have stopped counting the number of times when I think that the species that named itself sapiens is anything but, and have little doubt that the current chapter of human history will eventually be regarded as one of our most degraded and shameful and short-sighted, provided someone will be around to write it.

As a student of history, I have always assumed, or at least hoped, that we could learn from past mistakes and prevent them from happening again, but I don’t think we have.

As someone who grew up in Germany, I have always known that the likes of Hitler exploit the liberal laws of their country in order to get rid of those very laws, with the goal to serve their own nefarious purposes. That they are willing to sacrifice the lives of their fellow humans to advance their selfish agendas. That they surround themselves with minions who praise their megalomaniac minds and flatter their hyperinflated egos. That they ask for sacrifices from us commoners while they rule from golden towers. That they promise peace and prosperity while delivering only aggression, war, and hardship. That they threaten countless persons by vilifying their physical appearance, their genetic background, or their sexual, political, or religious leanings.

Even the Gilded Age robber barons felt compelled to placate their bad conscience by passing on a few of their millions to the lowly masses, or by constructing buildings to benefit the public. Today’s gilded figures suffer no such scruples—they openly and blatantly enrich their own coffers, and those of their families and friends. Where is accountability for those who ridicule affordability?

Where are the leaders who address our world’s most pressing problem: climate change?

How many more degrees does the thermometer have to climb, how many more glaciers have to melt? How many more tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, and floods does it take? How much longer do mega-droughts have to last? How many more trees have to burn, releasing more CO2 into the atmosphere, exacerbating the vicious climate cycle? How many more species have to breathe their last under our watch?

I bemoan the ill effects of the Anthropocene. The unnaturalness of declaring corporations persons, and of denying personhood to our fellow living, breathing, and feeling creatures. We ignore our interconnectedness and interdependence at everybody’s peril, ours included. Where is the wisdom in that?

As I’m typing these lines, the American West is burning and Colorado’s columbine-colored skies are obscured by wildfire smoke that makes it hard to breathe, brings tears to our eyes, and turns the sun an apocalyptic red. Human and more-than-human beings have lost their homes or even their lives. I mourn for and with them.

Yes, I’m sad and depressed.

But I’m also disappointed, even angry.

Because many of these human-caused calamities could have been avoided, or their devastating effects diminished, had we heeded the warnings of those individuals who have long cautioned us about an impending ecological crisis: Henry David Thoreau. Even then! Aldo Leopold. Rachel Carson. Robin Wall Kimmerer. Terry Tempest Williams. And many more.

Because our elected officials, instead of trying to mitigate the ill effects of a warming planet, wantonly adhere to their “drill, baby drill ideology,” in order to further enrich the fossil fuel industry—and themselves. Not only do they deny the proven benefits of alternative energies, they disincentivize their development and even attempt to penalize those who promote them.

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As members of a “developed” society, each of us has contributed to today’s climate emergency. Walking a different path will take sacrifices from all of us, and caring people all around the globe are trying to make amends. Despite doubts and pessimism, I want to continue to be part of that movement in the hope that Earth will remain a livable home for all its denizens.

Let’s reduce, reuse, recycle—do whatever we can think of that makes a difference. Humans have proven extremely resourceful. We have landed on the moon and marveled at its far side. We can tackle the problems we are facing here on Earth, but only if we do it together.

We need to vote for the far-sighted leaders our times need. And we need to fight for the continued right to vote, which is also under threat.

I dream of a future or, better yet, a present, in which we finally live up to the name we have chosen for ourselves.

Thank you for lending me your ear. I have missed being in touch. I hope you are as well as can be expected.

With heartfelt greetings,

Tanja

45 thoughts on “Hello Friend”

  2. Hallo Tanja.
    Inzwischen bin ich 80 Jahre alt geworden.
    Habe meinen Ehemann und dann auch meinen kleinen Buddy verloren.
    Ich bin nicht depressiv geworden, aber ich habe den Glauben an ein Umschwenken verloren.
    Es ist jetzt 10 nach Zwölf, nicht mehr 10 vor Zwölf.
    Die Erde wird kurzen Prozess machen und sich ihrer Quälgeister entledigen.
    Danach wird sie aufatmen und sich regenerieren.
    Hoffentlich ohne den Fehler Homo sapiens zu wiederholen.
    Solange ich kann erfreue ich mich an den kleinen Wundern der Natur.
    Gerade eben schickte mir eine liebe Freundin ein Foto mit kleinen Grauschnäppern im Nest. 😍
    Das ist es, was mir hilft seelisch gesund zu überleben.
    Alles Liebe und Gute für dich. Ich habe dich vermisst.
    Liebe Grüße Brigitte

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  3. Well, I can’t disagree with anything you’ve written. All I can offer is that I’m also deeply sad and angry that we’ve continued down a path of destruction and that our leaders haven’t owned their responsibilities. That being said, I’m glad you’re writing, at least for this day.

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  4. I have been thinking about you and wondering how you were doing. Like Tina, I can’t disagree with anything you wrote. If you would like to see where much of the blame lies, watch the documentary The Merchants of Doubt, which charts how the oil companies have employed the same tactics used by cigarette companies to muddy the waters about the harm they are causing. Illuminating and infuriating. While there is a limit to what individuals can do—we really do need system changes—we have made changes in our own family to try live more lightly. From cars to heating to cooling, We are now an electric family. We don’t eat any kind of meat. Many of our vegetables come from a local farm that in turn uses electric vehicles to deliver farm shares. No doubt we could do more, but we have made a start.

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  5. Tanja, everything you say is true. The world is in a horrible state. To a significant extent, people just don’t get along. That’s always been the case. It’s built into human DNA.
    Climate change probably isn’t reversible at this point. Maybe it can be slowed. But that will take resolve and ingenuity to a degree that most societies probably aren’t capable of.

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    • Thank you for your comment, Neil.
      I have always struggled with the contradictions of humankind. On the one hand, we are capable to do so much good, and many individuals live up to that each and every day. On the other hand, as a collective, the dark side seems to take over. Like you, I have my doubts about our collective resolve to do what it takes.

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  6. I second you, Tanja. You have articulated what I could not.

    If only, if only, if only……to say this is merely a drop in the ocean of calamity mankind is now facing. Every living creature on the planet is being affected by climate change. Yes, I feel sad and depressed about the suffering and loss too.

    Is it too late?

    Probably.

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    • Thank you for your comment, Vicki.
      There is a reason for the saying “hope dies last.” I think it’s almost impossible to go on living without hope, so we have to keep reminding ourselves of all the good that still does exist.
      Best wishes,
      Tanja

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  7. Hi, Mrs. Tanja-

    First of all, it is so good to hear from you! My family and I talk about you and Mr. Mike often, and hope you both are doing well. I have thoroughly missed your blog!

    Secondly, my heart as well goes out to all of those who have been impacted by the fires recently. We recently went through the very bottom of Colorado on our summer road trip, and we could smell the fires one day, since they were so close. I definitely feel so bad for those who have lost everything due to these fires. I pray you and the beautiful Colorado Springs area are protected during this time!

    I understand your sadness during this time. I agree that at some points, it seems as if all things are crumbling downhill. I pray each day for God’s will to take place, and I cannot wait to see how He will work all things out!

    Once again, it is so nice to hear from you, and I express my deepest condolences to you during this extremely hard time!

    Take care during this time!

    Blessings to you,

    Gavin Broom

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    • Dear Gavin,
      It’s good to hear from you!

      Thank you very much for your kind words, I appreciate the support.

      If we love this world and pay attention, I don’t think we can help being concerned about many different issues. Humankind has taken this precious planet for granted and we have proven to be poor caretakers. Every living being is suffering as a result.

      The fires you smelled have only worsened and more people are getting evacuated. We are hoping and praying for rain!

      I hope all is well with you and the entire family!

      Best wishes,
      Tanja

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      • I totally agree with what you said about those who love this world must take care of it and be concerned for it’s betterment.
        My heart truly goes out to those who have been impacted by the fires, and I pray for rain to come and bring relief.
        My family and I are doing well, and hope the same for you both!

        Blessings,

        Gavin

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Thanks, Tanja,

    yes, you are right talking about present days` mess. – And thanks for re-appearing!

    However, aside of all our dark thoughts, the Earth is continuing (with or without mankind – misnamed as homo sapiens) to turn round.

    There is some kind of hope left, e.g. accompanying young ones, teaching them in hands-on-activities – presenting positive results.

    https://osmerus.blog/2026/07/03/naturpark-aukrug-toensbek-kieseinbringen-mit-schulklasse/

    All of that because of the millions of years of “learning nature” – most of importance now: cooling the landscape. – Or, as an advertisement for “justdiggit” says: “If were are able to overheat the earth, we – as well – are able to cool it down.”

    I`ll stay with the summercool rivers, trying to help them out of manmade problems – starting with “the tree”, in mind “trees, tree lined roads and rivers, wetland forests …”

    Continuing, as someone who wanted to offend me said “Keep on dreaming your dream”. – Yes, I do.

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    • Thank you for your comment, Ludwig.

      It does instill hope that young people are starting to care about the Earth and are willing to put in elbow grease to help address problems, despite the fact that it was their parents and grandparents who created all this “mess.”

      I admire all the education and practical work you do in trying to restore habitats. It was so “easy” to destroy them yet takes such painstaking effort to bring them back to life.

      Thank you for not giving up and for continuing to dream on!

      All the best,
      Tanja

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  9. Tanja, I have thought about you so much over the last year, wondering how you were doing and worrying that you may not be doing well. I can see from what you have written here that you have been struggling with the state – and the fate – of our planet. I share your pain, I really do.

    What you have written is powerful and incisive, and I cannot disagree with a single word of it. There is so much that needs to change. That change needs to be personal, local, national, international and global. It is a daunting prospect, but it’s important to remember that you – and we – are not alone. There are countless good people around us, all anxious to do their bit to make the world a better place. We need to stick together, work as one and chip away at the monolith of misery that looms above us all. Above all we must keep the faith, and believe that progress is possible, however hard the struggle me be.

    You are amongst friends here, Tanja, and I hope you will feel able to remain an active part of our community. We’ve missed you! Take care, stay safe and stay strong. my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Thank you for your comment, Mr P.
      I do appreciate your kind words and wishes. It is comforting to know that there is a community of like-minded people, and that we can support one another.
      I hope to spend more time here among my blogging friends.
      Best wishes to you and Mrs P.
      Tanja

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  10. You have written what we all think. You are right when you say that this time will be recalled as one of the most degraded in history. Colorado is burning, as well as France and Greece but the big boys just deny the climate change…

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  11. Dear Tanja… Your problems are common, and you’re not alone… Right now, the transatlantic situation between Europe and the U.S. is giving me so many headaches that I hardly feel like taking pictures anymore…

    That “DRILL BABY” stuff is getting on my nerves… and I wish that U.S. citizens wouldn’t withdraw so passively from a DEMOCRACY, but would show in the fall elections how Democrats can respond to this…

    Wishing you all the best…and take comfort in the knowledge that YOU ARE NOT ALONE

    With love and warm regards,

    Werner

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    • Thank you for your comment, Werner.
      I can relate to your disillusionment and your worries about democracy, transatlantic relations, and the state of the world–and the sadness that makes us not want to do the things we usually enjoy.
      I hope you can get back to taking pictures, both as a way to document what you see and to help lift your spirits.
      Best wishes to you,
      Tanja

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  12. Dear Tanja,
    You have been in my thoughts. I can painfully empathise regarding the state of affairs worldwide.
    Just a comment to say I’m glad to hear from you and many share your thoughts. As you say, what all of us can do is to contribute in the ways we can – one day at a time… Stay well my friend.

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    • Dear Takami,
      Thank you for your comment, and for welcoming me back. One day at a time is a good attitude to adopt. And trying to look at the silver lining another.
      Having friends who commiserate is one I’m grateful for.
      All the best,
      Tanja

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  14. Tanja, I was so glad to see a post from you. I have missed your beautiful work and your presence online. I and so many others agree with you. Thank you for continuing to call people to wake up. Please try to keep writing. I believe that your work touches many and helps to change us. I stopped writing two years ago after a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment with many complications. I’m trying to return to writing now. I hope that you will return to photography and writing. Your beautiful work makes a difference in our world. Thank you.

    Beth

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    • I appreciate your kind and supportive comment, Beth.

      I’m sorry to hear about your health challenges and hope you will continue to feel better. I’m glad you have decided to return writing and blogging and I hope it will contribute to your healing.

      Best wishes,
      Tanja

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  15. Hi Tanja. I also recently came back to the blogosphere and was wondering about you. I empathize with what you have written and understand where you are coming from. It seems like the world has become a very charged place and very polarized. Humans can’t seem to agree on even the simplest of matters that are good for the humanity and the Earth. I hope you will write more regularly here as there is a community of like-minded fellow bloggers and readers. Best wishes.

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    • Dear Pooja,
      It’s great to hear from you, thank you for stopping by. I had checked your blog from time to time in the last several years to see if you had returned to blogging and am glad to see that you are back now.
      I look forward to catching up.
      I hope you are well. All the best,
      Tanja

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  16. Hi Tanja

    I agree with everything that you said. It is so nice to hear from you even though I don’t see you on the birding trail. As you know, I have been somewhat hobbled with balance issues and unable to get out without falling over on my head! Keep at it!

    Fondly,

    Gary

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    • Thanks for stopping by and for commenting, Gary.

      I asked George about you when we were both looking for the Louisiana Waterthrush at Rock Ledge Ranch, and he told me about some of your problems. I’m sorry you aren’t able to move about as much and as freely as you’d like. I hope that will change for the better!

      Best wishes,
      Tanja

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  17. I hope this comment reaches you, Tanja. I’ve had trouble with some WP sites; the WP gnomes are, apparently, pissed at me 🙂 That being said, I certainly understand your anger and sadness, I feel it too. I think all we can do is the small things in our own realm, I’m not sure I have any other suggestion.

    It is good to read you once again; I’ve missed your posts. Be well–I think most of us are like-minded and appreciate your writing.

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  18. Hi Tanja,
    it is good to read you again, you have been absent for quite a while!
    I understand the way you are feeling and to cheer you up a bit, I added a link that will please you (I hope you will be able to open it).
    It is about a little town not far away from where I live that has recognized trees as living beings!
    I would so much hope, that my town would do this too! But someone has to start!
    I wish you all the best…
    kindest regards, Christa

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/terrasse-vaudreil-quebec-tree-rights-9.7243634

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