Dear Earth

Dear Earth,

I am forever grateful to you for the gift of this marvelous home, which provides us with life, above and beyond anything we could possibly imagine. As I walk through your forests, swim in your oceans, eat delicious food cultivated on your fertile land, and drink your fresh water, I think of the generations that will follow. I am filled with a sense of duty to protect the treasures you have bestowed upon us, so that our children, and their children, will have clean air to breathe and beautiful forests to enjoy. You are the home to all eight billion of us, binding us together across continents and generations.

Interacting with the community members at Siem Reap, Cambodia, who are showing the solarization work that is being done in their village.  Photo: ©UNICEF/Simon Mark Toffanello

I am Kitty van der Heijden, and I am deeply committed to witnessing and preserving your beauty and bounty in all its forms, for all generations. I have seen the challenges around the world and in my home country, the Netherlands. From its green fields and serene waterways, which show the true value of harmony between nature and human life, my own background has taught me the importance of protecting this delicate balance.

I also have had the privilege of visiting numerous communities around the world, including the furthest and hardest-to-reach places where children are most vulnerable. I have witnessed how UNICEF is working with country partners not only to deliver immediate relief to families affected by natural hazards, but also to contribute to long-term solutions.

who are uniquely susceptible to pollution, extreme weather, and environmental degradation, and whose developing bodies and minds require our utmost care.

At the school in Siem Reap, speaking to the young girls participating in the digital skills development program supported by UNICEF. Photo: ©UNICEF/Simon Mark Toffanello

Today, we face a profound responsibility. As our world changes, so too do the challenges that lie ahead for the most vulnerable among us. Almost 90% of children globally are exposed to high levels of air pollution, 820 million face the threat of scorching heatwaves, and 400 million live in regions prone to devastating cyclones. Coastal flooding threatens the safety of 240 million children, while 920 million struggle with water scarcity. To add to these threats, 600 million children are at high risk of exposure to vector-borne diseases.

These numbers are more than statistics—they represent lives, dreams, and the future of our planet. At UNICEF, we see the urgency in ensuring that every child has a safe and healthy environment to grow up in. We must invest in disaster risk reduction, ensuring that our communities are resilient against the challenges ahead. We must bring sustainable energy to healthcare facilities, schools, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services so that every child has access to the basic rights they deserve. These services are essential not just for survival but for dignity and the promise of a better future. And we are committed to letting the voices of children and young people guide our actions.

But our work does not end there.

Visiting Rolous Lower Secondary School in Siem Reap and engaging with students and teachers involved in local life skills programs and the Youth Solar Initiative. Photo: ©UNICEF/Simon Mark Toffanello

By empowering them with knowledge, resources, and a platform, we can foster a generation that is not only aware of the challenges they face but is also equipped to overcome them. This is our responsibility— to protect and nurture the next generation, ensuring that they inherit a world worth cherishing. I stand with you, dear Earth, in this endeavor.

With love and dedication, I will work to secure a brighter, more sustainable future for all who call you home.

Kitty van der Heijden

Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF