Dear Earth, I am frightened.

I didn’t think I’d be planning for my arrest.

I didn’t think I’d be using this week of holiday to stand on a cold, rainy bridge in London and speak up for you.

I didn’t think I’d learn new words like kettling or bust cards, and discuss the relative merits of superglue or steel cable ties for affixing myself to your surface.

I am an ordinary, law abiding person. I trusted the governments to do what was best for us all, or at least to not watch from the sidelines as we slide into a horror movie.

I didn’t think I’d meet so many others who have the fire of love for you in their bellies, dear Earth. Ordinary people like me who have rearranged their lives to put you first.

If we don’t put you first? Why Brexit, if billions are starving? Why vegan, if the mass extinction continues? Why care for our children, if we are leaving them a shell of a planet?

I am going to upset people at the rebellion, dear Earth – other ordinary people who just want to get to their interview or to their doctor’s appointment or home to their loved ones. I am going to cause inconvenience and frustration and sometimes fury.

Anso Coetzer said, “Decisions become easier when your will to please God outweighs your will to please the world.”

My will to please you, darling Earth, now outweighs my will to please anyone else. This is how it should be. I am frightened, and I have enough courage and enough friends to carry me forwards.

I hope we make a difference, beloved Earth. We’ll try our best.

Love, Satya <3