How would you like to improve life on Earth by 2025?
That’s the question we’re asking thinkers and leaders around the world as we head into the New Year. their wishes Covering everything from honoring Jimmy Carter's legacy to creating a healthier, more peaceful and compassionate world.
We also asked readers about their wishes. We received dozens of responses with common themes, from emphasizing the need to protect the planet's well-being to simply being kinder to each other.
Thank you to our readers for sharing their hopes for the year ahead. Here's what they said:
“My wish is that we once again open our minds to curiosity and fill the gaps in our society with compassion and empathy,” wrote Rachel Fisher of Dayton, Ohio. "I think a lot of the problem in society right now is that we ask questions not to gain understanding, but to gain ammunition."
Fisher, who works in banking, said she “has privilege Help new immigrants, ex-offenders and others who have been left out of the conversation build their personal finances. Everyone who sits in my office has a story about their journey, no matter where they come from. Eager to understand their journey makes me a better partner to them, but it also keeps my world open. "
KJ Bailey of Kent, Ohio, shared a simple yet powerful hope: “My wish is that people find a way to be kind to others, whether it’s saying hello, sharing a sandwich, offering water on a hot day, or simply offering food. Kindness is underrated and I make sure to follow my own advice, and I believe we are all better off when others spread the word 'kindness'."
Nelson Navas of Mobile, Alabama, points out that we should strive for personal growth. “May each of us this year create in our hearts an image of the wisest, kindest and most compassionate person we can imagine, and strive to be that person every day,” he wrote.
Sarah Schuetz of Asheville, North Carolina, wants us to reflect on our motivations and mindsets: “May all of us remember to speak and act out of love, not out of fear for our loved ones or Things are at stake, no matter how big or small. Feel the fear and act out of love.”
Marnie Hammer of Kansas City, Mo., calls on us to be more thoughtful in our conversations. "I would like to see everyone be careful about the language they use. Just because someone has a different opinion doesn't make them an enemy," she wrote. "Our rhetoric could use fewer violent or angry adjectives. If we can learn to listen to each other and start having conversations about the values that are important to each of us, maybe we can start to find common ground."
Alice Case of Cresco, Pa., wants world leaders to recognize the urgency of climate change and take steps to combat global warming. “My most fervent wish for the world in 2025 is that all governments – especially those in rich countries – recognize the seriousness of global warming. I hope they find the political will to stop fossil fuel extraction like mining and fracking destructive practices, and investing in and implementing renewable energy solutions,” she wrote. "I know there are a lot of problems on Earth that need to be solved, but if we don't solve this problem, nothing else will matter because our planet will no longer be habitable."
But personal responsibility is also important, said Greg Zahradnik of Louisville, Kentucky. He hopes people will take their own steps to heal the planet: "I hope people will take it upon themselves to reduce the effects of climate change and not just hope and wait for the government or agencies to do it for them. Shutting down during the heating or cooling season is not Necessary lights, close doors and windows, add insulation and seals to your home and business...walk more, drive less, and make your next car use less energy."
Kara Grady, an environmental studies college student at Iowa State Grady reminds us of the beauty that already exists: “As a budding ecologist in the heartland, my desire is to get more people to embrace our native plants and the beauty they add to the landscape. I can address carbon capture, water Cleanup, pollinator habitat, and other common topics of ecosystem economic benefits that most professionals like to talk about, but in a state often described as flyover country, I believe we should be getting more beauty out of our intensive farming .Landscape and Concrete Cage Urban Areas.”
Chicago's Olga Vilella wants young people to take the lead: "As a senior, my most sincere wish for the coming year is for young people to truly embrace recycling. No more plastic water bottles, please! Let's be frugal Become your default mode. By doing this, we have hope for the future of our planet that we, at least some of us, will have a better chance of surviving."
Michigan's Marelle Kuo tells the story of how an owl helped her discover birding and reconnect with other hobbies, changing her entire worldview during the pandemic. She hopes everyone can find this kind of inspiration:
“My wish: that everyone experience the magic of birding. The pandemic has changed me. It has changed my priorities and the way I see the world. Becoming a birder by accident saved my life. My World Getting dark and gloomy, birdwatching filled it with color and it also helped me get back to my first passions: reading and writing.
True story: An owl was perched in a tree near my bedroom window. I hear his voice night after night. I miss him when he's not here. I started fantasizing about what he would say and why he was living with us. That’s how I started my Fantasy and Semi-Magical Book Club, an inclusive and safe community for diverse readers, writers, and birdwatchers. "
Wyse Ra Roderick of St. Louis, Missouri, writes: “My wish is that people begin to develop better habits mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I believe that our words and actions need to It’s important to be intentional and thoughtful about providing resources/care to children who are experiencing pain (war, homelessness, domestic violence, food insecurity) to alleviate their pain.”
Maymunah Yusuf Kadiri, chief psychiatrist at Pinnacle Healthcare Services Nigeria, stressed the importance of mental health in the workplace: “As we move into 2025 When I was 20, my deepest wish was for workplaces to embrace a culture where the topic of mental health wasn’t talked about. The workplace should be more than just a productive space, it should be a place where employees feel seen, heard, empowered and empowered. A supported sanctuary. Imagine an organization where psychological safety is as important as physical safety, leaders provide. Promote open conversations about mental health without stigma, in an environment where employees feel valued, feel free to express vulnerability, and believe that asking for help will not lead to judgment or discrimination… When we consider mental health We take pride in creating a workplace that is compassionate, innovative and resilient.”
Claudia Cholst of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, writes that global solidarity is crucial to solving the world's most pressing problems and that she hopes for "a lasting partnership between nation-states and indigenous peoples." Peace and respect, and a willingness to globalize for climate change” change, prevention of disasters and disease, cybersecurity, chaotic immigration practices, prevention of waste and water and food shortages. "
Oscar Cifuentes, a Guatemalan immigrant living in Costa Rica, expressed a simple desire for international relations: "Washington talks about 'niceness' in the community. Today, I see a lack of courtesy. Start with something simple like this Might make things better.”
Lisa Machar of Indianapolis wants greater progress in global health to “reduce millions of deaths from preventable poverty-related causes.”
Tian Johnson, founder of Pan African Health Justice, wishes Africa a brighter future:
"My thoughts on 2025 The aspiration for Africa in 2020 is that we all find the courage, security and support to fight for our birthright to prosperity and happiness. I envision an Africa that is no longer just a place where we struggle to survive, but a center of attention. a place. From day-to-day survival to achieving prosperity and success beyond our wildest dreams, this Africa would leave our ancestors speechless and unable to comprehend our joy and freedom. To the extent...in this Africa, our worth is not measured by our proximity to whiteness or colonial heritage but by seizing the opportunity to build anew, reimagine our future, challenge the status quo, and always, always dream, then, of Africa. We will work together with determination and unwavering faith to make these dreams a reality – because we can and because we must.”
Nancy Crellin of Harrisburg, Pa., wants Americans to consider the broader implications of their choice of leaders: “I want Americans to consider the character (morals, past behavior, decency, etc.) Not about their character (morals, past behavior, decency, etc.). Just what he would do for them personally. Less selfish and more for the next generation of humans and other living things (animals and the environment) that will inherit our mistakes. consideration.”
San Diego's Marlina Lukman wants our leaders to address loneliness, an ongoing problem Showing increased risk Heart disease, stroke and dementia. "My wish is for technology to help combat the global epidemic of loneliness. Currently, in our always-connected, high-tech environment, people are drawn together to become increasingly lonely," she wrote. "Why not use technology to reunite humanity and achieve common goals of improving the planet? Let's choose leaders who can achieve these goals. Let big tech companies partner with these leaders to promote peace, not war, not Aggression, but fairness.”
Stephen Yoder of Harrisonburg, Va. Hope Israel and peace in Gaza: "I want an end to the tactics of oppression and fear between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders. I want an agreement that will achieve self-determination, freedom of movement and fair land ownership for our people. I want international intervention and assistance to rebuild and rebuild our homes." Restore the basics of life and functioning societies in Gaza and the West Bank: food, shelter, clothing, health care, security and dignity. "
Can government leaders set a civilized tone for the year ahead? Debra Vian of Henderson, N.C., hopes so: “I hope there can be civilized and respectful dialogue between all people, especially our government leaders. If we Taking a moment to gather your thoughts and consider other people’s perspectives may be rational and lead to fair action.”