On Nov. 16, 2008, an 11-year-old wrote a letter to the editor calling to “Stop the Pebble Mine!” A total of 5,189 days have passed since that 11-year-old assessed the risks and befits of the Pebble mine and hoped for her voice to be heard by someone who could do something, so that when she wasn’t 11 anymore, there would still be beautiful and unspoiled places in the world to look to and be inspired by. For 14 years, two months and 15 days, she waited with bated breath for this place to be protected, for Alaskans to assess the risks and benefits and make the call that was right with their heart and their home.
From a former 11-year-old, on behalf of all 11-year-olds and anyone who has longed for inspiring places: Thank you, Alaska. Thank you, Environmental Protection Agency. We stopped the Pebble mine, leaving those headwaters as a beacon for the young people of the world; beautiful places are still out there, and there are people willing to fight for them.
— Jessica Adler
Anchorage
Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published. Writers should disclose any personal or professional connections with the subjects of their letters. Letters are edited for accuracy, clarity and length.