In my previous article you read the impassioned application of my daughter to work as CEO of Greenpeace international.

So what happened next? Did Greenpeace ignore the letter? Send her a form letter reply?
Not at all. In fact, they forwarded the letter to Kumi Naidoo. He had already left Greenpeace. When he received it he was at Sao Paulo airport en route to the Antarctic and he wrote the lovely personal letter below, which made a mighty girl feel even mightier.

I always thought he was a fine man.

I always thought Greenpeace was a great organisation.

And now I know I was right on both counts.

São Paulo, 13 January 2016

Dear Betty

Thank you for your letter of application to be my successor as International Executive Director of Greenpeace International. I found it both wise and inspiring. You are the future and your letter gives me the hope, the strength and the courage to carry on.

You probably know but I don't get to choose my successor. I have passed your letter to those who are responsible but I am sorry to say it arrived a little late to be able to consider you for the role. But you make many important points that they need to hear.

I don’t doubt, as you say, “ … if the world would be run by sensible, caring children that then the world would be a lot better off than it is now. That is because when you overthink things it nearly always creates more problems.”

However, I also agree with your own very well made point, that at 10 years old it wouldn't be right for you to start working yet, even if it were on such “important matters like the world we live in and the animals and people that live on it”, and even if you do turn 11 soon. But you can make a contribution each and every day by sharing your concerns, your solutions and your hopes with those around you. Hope is contagious!

You are right; adults do not always make the best decisions for future generations and would do well to listen to children more, especially such thoughtful children as you with so many great ideas. As adults we hold this world custody for you, we should all take time to listen to your voices, your fears and your hopes, each and every day.

I had to let you know that I found your point of view on some of the problems we are facing globally and the ways people could come together to tackle them, really brilliant.

Unfortunately, the race to save the world is a marathon and not a sprint. In a few years, when you are a little older, please do come to work for Greenpeace. We would be lucky to have you here, but until then remember - what you are already doing makes you part of something even bigger than Greenpeace. You are a vital part of a powerful movement that is growing and that has the courage to hope that a better world is possible. A movement that can and will bring about the future you want.

Thank you again for your very thoughtfully written letter and for caring so much about the world we inhabit and the other living beings we share it with. Keep making other people think by doing more of the good things you described so beautifully. Everyone you inspire to act makes us stronger and makes the future brighter.

Very best wishes

Kumi Naidoo

P.S. I hope you will wear the Greenpeace badge that we are sending you with pride and that the book will provide you with a little inspiration to carry on!

So, a big thank you to Greenpeace, to Kumi, and to Jan Oldfield at Greenpeace International who I know had more than a small part to play in this.

Derek Humphries is the proud father of Betty Humphries and Creative Director/Strategist at DTV Group. You can contact him at derek.humphries@dtvgroup.co.uk