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It was a time of religious and political turmoil when John Scudder grew up in western Kent, England, between the power centers of British political and ecclesiastical might, at London and Canterbury. John Scudder was the nephew of one of the most widely known Christian authors and reform-minded ministers in England, Rev. Henry Scudder.

If our cousin, Stewart Lee Udall could see the environmental degradation happening to our planet today, he would roll over in his grave. But he would not be surprised. He saw it coming. He predicted it. He warned that if we didn’t take action, this would happen!  But Stewart took action. He spent a lifetime of vigorous action and bold leadership in defense of the Earth and humanity’s future.

In 1969, Stewart Udall departed his post as Secretary of the Department of the Interior, when President Johnson left office, but continued to be a tireless advocate of civil rights, social change and environmental stewardship.

This is the most important letter I will ever write. It concerns your future—and the tomorrows of the innumerable human beings who share this vulnerable, fragile planet with you.
It involves changes that must be made if environmental disasters are to be avoided. The response to this challenge will shape the future of the entire human race.

Levi Stewart’s journals were lost in a tragic fire, so these recollections about his life are taken primarily from accounts by his children and grandchildren. A few other sources have been added to provide historical context, including connecting him to his Scudder ancestry.