I have been around long enough to remember when the dates seemed impossibly far into the future: 2030… 2100. I have also been around long enough to believe wholeheartedly that we stood a chance at keeping temperatures increases below 1.5°C. In the gap between yesterday’s today and that distant tomorrow, there was room for hope – and I desperately clung to it.

Now tomorrow is hurtling in our direction, with 2030 a mere seven years away. The gap where hope once thrived is getting smaller and smaller. 1.5°C? Not likely. Saving Arctic summer ice? Nope. Too late.

Inspiration: Too late now to save Arctic summer ice, climate scientists find

A YEARs-LONG CREATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE CLIMATE THROUGH 100-WORD STORIES • WEEK 25