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We have to stop climate change
Since the last year, I have been observing that the frequency of rain is increasing day by day. Even on the most arid days, it rained as if the monsoon had arrived! This unusual rain is only taking place daily due to the increase in the evaporation which in turn depends on the increase of the Sun’s heat. If this continues then the era is not too away when there will be rain every day, every hour and every second. There will be floods daily. Yes, the Climate is Changing. Not slowly, but rapidly! We, humans, are unable to combat it. Private transportation is increasing daily. CFCs from perfumes...
Every child should have the opportunity to experience culture
How can you make a difference?
With the rise of a globally aware generation constantly interconnected through social media, people are starting to become more vocal about issues that they are deeply passionate about. Several of these issues revolve around the environment and the rapid deterioration of it. The buildup of plastic waste in Cocos Island, the bleached corals of the Great Barrier Reef, the endangerment of beloved species worldwide such as the Sumatran rhino and the reported cases of beached whales with stomachs full of plastic, has created quite the stir across social media. Individuals often feel inclined to...
Defining my success as a conservationist
All too often I find myself in a conversation about how intimidating I am. How my confidence and my success in my desired field of conservation separates me from the rest of my generation and prevents me from having “typical” conversations with my peers. I say the word typical loosely, because what do “typical” youth conversations look like? And why are conversations about pressing environmental issues seen as atypical when youth around the world have proven time and time again that they are the ones willing to take the larger stance? I get told on a daily that the work I have done is “so...
Mother Nature's plea
Oh ‘Wise’ Man. Oh wise man, that is who you are right? The wise men, the conquerors of land, ocean, air and space. The wise men, the inventors of the wheel, the light bulb, the telephone. Oh the wise men, the reasons behind the world war and the constant conflicts. The wise men, the cause of animal extinction and climate change. The wise men, the dominators of all life on Earth. Hear me, oh wise man, oh almighty wise man. Did you forget about me? Are you heedless of my cries, or just oblivious? Why is the water dirty? Why is the air dirty? Where are all the trees? Where are all the animals...
Ocean of burqas
Wrapped in a burqa silently in the corner of a decrepit bus, I embrace the nostalgic tune that begins my daydream. The tune creates images of the sea and its powerful stream. I think of how the waves extend outward to protect us. An ocean of burqas on board beguiling ships, Singing their hearts out to the fearless seas. Underneath the burqas, the expression of joy, And jubilation that comes with the tune eventually slips. A bolt of lightning slams the starboard side. My dream fades away, here comes the stormy sea. Cursing, a calloused hand viciously pulls at me, He is horrifying, as strong as...
Will the Earth survive in next 30 years?
Nature has a unique way of healing you. When life gets tough, I try to spend some time with nature. Spending time amidst those lush green bushes which sway, birds chirping around and the fragrance of nature may not help me to discover solutions to life's challenges, but it does rejuvenate my soul. One day while I was at my workplace, I felt a bit distressed. I could no longer hold it in my heart, so I rushed to the terrace with a slight ray of hope that I would be able to soothe myself by spending a little time with nature. But to my surprise, I was only able to view huge enormous buildings...
That's my family
I love my family. I got to see some of my relatives today from my mom and it was very lovely. They are people so they're not all just good or bad. But they are kind. They are selfless. They take care of each other. My family couldn't always afford to go to school or have their own clothes or nice houses or sometimes any house to live in. Or shower frequently or have good medicine or buy makeup. Or have nice paper to write on or envelopes to send. Or much to eat sometimes. They may talk different, you would too if you grew up there. They have mental disabilities and physical disabilities. They...
"Barbies" everywhere
What is there to be celebrated?
As she gears towards the celebration of her 172 birthday, I mutter, confused to confide in her curse of ceaseless disasters. What is she truly celebrating? Her long but fruitless existence leading her children to beg and bootlick as they crumble at the mercy of exploiters. She stumbled, startled at the impediment placed upon her by so-called colonialism. A complete dissolution to her sovereignty. She claimed to be independent when truly dependency is at the avenue of her already weakened appearance-leading her children skedaddling in search for solace. And I wonder, what is there to be...
This is my planet
…. degradation, deforestation, pollution - are largely caused by us, humans, and I want to talk to you about it now… It worries me to read, “The biomass of wild mammals has fallen by 82%, natural ecosystems have lost half their area and millions of species are at the risk of extinction”. Today the situation is critical; we have made many mistakes and caused problems like air pollution, water pollution, global warming… Before I mention a few solutions of how we can solve these problems, I want to highlight how we formed them. What happened in 1750 has changed the course of history - a year when...
My case-study on marriage rituals among Christians in India
During my final year of high school, I had conducted a case study to understand the marriage rituals that took place among certain Christian communities in India - such as the Christians of Kerala, Goa and Mizoram - compared to the marriage rituals among Christians in western countries. The objective of my case study was to highlight the noticeable differences in these marriage rituals among the Christian communities in India as opposed to the Christians living in the west. To begin, a questionnaire was sent out to twenty three respondents belonging to Christian communities in both India as...
A gentle reminder for millennials to be kind
Kindness. An act from deep down in the heart human, without want feedback. In this era, I believe kindness can be fake and ignored. Many people misuse kindness. They know what kindness is, but they don't know how to use it, therefore, there are many people using kindness for gaining popularity and getting a good image. One day, I was doing charity work in my community by giving food and clothes to flood victims. My friend asked me to take a photo of him giving food to a child, which he then posted on Instagram. Later, I asked him why he did that and he answered that he wanted everyone to know...
My Earth, My Responsibility
Change begins with a dream
Contributed by Diego Arreola Fernandez, Ocean Hero Bootcamp participant Do you believe in the power of dreams? If I told you that you could change the world, even as a kid, would you believe me? My dream came to life. When I was ten years old I participated in a National Public Speaking Contest, where I wrote a speech about global peace. In the speech, I shared my opinion about problems such as violence, wars, and indifference among world leaders. One night, after spending all day thinking about these problems, I had an amazing dream. I became a superhero and flew to the White House, Russia...
How I became an ocean hero!
Contributed by Manar Elkebir, Ocean Heroes Bootcamp participant How often do you think about what your reckless daily behaviour may cause to our one and only planet? Or in other words, how often do you think about our oceans when buying plastic? Unfortunately, the majority of people don’t think about the future of the planet and the next generations, or at least that is what I noticed in my hometown Tunisia, a country in north Africa. I am Manar Elkebir, a 17-year-old student, theater actress, young environmentalist, and climate activist. I am also 5Gyres ambassador and the founder of EcoWave...
If a tree could speak
If a tree could speak, What would it say? Would it tell tales, From times long gone, When a little boy climbed and took its fruit, Or when a woman found shade, in the hot summer days. Maybe it would talk about its friends, Lizards as colourful as kaleidoscopes, Squirrels hiding as if they played hide and seek, Butterflies resting on its branches in mesmerizing grace. Perhaps it would talk about men, Suffocating it with their poisonous gasses, Trimming its limbs to mimic some sort of abstract perfection, Burning its body with hellish flames. What would a tree say? What would the Earth say, As...
The edge of time, the persistence of imagination
I am not the biggest fan of science. Although it was my favorite subject throughout much of my childhood, a love-hate relationship soon developed during my high school years. I even jokingly labeled myself as “anti-STEM,” much to the dismay of my mother and older sister who are ardent enthusiasts of the field. Although I still believe in the significance of developments under this scholarly discipline, my passion has manifested itself within other fields. One major interest of mine is culture and the forces that shape it, particularly as it relates to the representation of minorities. Being an...