Future generations will judge our response to climate change based on whether we took effective steps to protect the environment and fight global warming. They’ll look at whether we reduced pollution, switched to cleaner energy sources, and preserved nature.

They might compare it to how we judge our ancestors’ medical treatments—did we use good science and make decisions that helped in the long run? If we focused too much on making money quickly instead of caring for the planet, they might see our actions as short-term and harmful. But if we prioritized taking care of the Earth, invested in clean technology, and worked together globally, they might see us as responsible and smart.

They’ll see how well we managed things like rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and extreme weather. And they’ll think about if we treated everyone fairly, especially those most affected by climate change.

In the end, how they judge us will depend on whether we acted wisely and boldly to make sure the Earth stays healthy for them and future generations.