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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...
Appeal to the French government
Once a month all of the MEPs pack And on their journey to Strasbourg and back They are racking their brains trying to crack this climate change - ´cause the future looks black. To cut the emissions this you could do: Stop useless traditions and take part too. Simply finally end this moving race And keep the Parliament in just one place!
Through the wolf's eyes
On a full moon, I find myself roaming alone between the ancient trees, Only the moon as my guide, Only the moon as my companion. Am I truly alone? Noise in the distance echoes, A blinding light shines through the bushes, That is not nature. The ground vibrates below me, As the roaring of machines intensifies, I realised; I am now the prey. I try to howl, These creatures are stronger, Deadlier, than I’ll ever be. Take care of Mother Nature, like she takes care of us.
A diet filled with life
The horrors that can go on behind the closed doors of the meat and dairy industry are unimaginable. We don't seem to notice how our actions as meat eaters affect our community, our environment, and the lives of millions of animals.“In the U.S., more than 29 million cows suffer and die in the meat and dairy industries every year"(PETA). It may be easier to ignore the effects of such industries rather than address the issue. But we, the most intelligent species, have a duty to advocate for those who cannot speak. We promote human rights and equality, yet we neglect the rights of every living...
Our planet is on fire - what are you doing about it?
A vouch for climate justice
For about two years, I had been a volunteer for the Liberian Climate Justice Ambassadors Program-Plant For The Planet. As a volunteer, I along with other volunteers planted trees and carried out awareness relating to climate change and its impact on our community. We were informed about how humans’ activities and technological advancements are leading to climate change and global warming. In addition to my volunteer experience, I read several articles that are concentrated on issues related to climate change and how it causes global warming. Like the Roman politician, Julius Caesar once said,...
The haunting in the oceans
DevOcean
Plastic and the suffering of the earth
Just like several modern products and technology, plastic has negative effects. The negative effects of plastic can be hard to observe and may not appear to affect us directly, but plastic damages our planet and health. Globally, the world produces more than 400 million tons of plastic every year and the vast majority of plastic products are not recyclable. United Nations published a report estimating that 79% of plastic waste is thrown in landfills, dumps or the environment, while about 12% is incinerated and only 9% recycled. In fact, 32% of packaging waste-which is estimated a 141 million...
How so much plastic ends up in the ocean
There are five great garbage patches which have been growing due to approximately 8 million tons of plastic being dumped in the ocean every single year. In this article I will be talking about how so much plastic ends up in our oceans, and some of the ways in which we can help. Everyone, or at least the majority of people, has heard of the consequences that plastic pollution has on our enviroment, and directly on our health. Animals dying because of too much plastic clogging their organs, sea birds suffocating, turtles and whales ingesting plastic bags have made breaking news in the past years...
Facing the inevitable
Climate change is without a doubt a major concern across the globe. Various communities and leaders are finally beginning to come together and address the issue. But to produce solutions quickly, we must work as one global community and put aside our differences to preserve the only place we can call home. The depletion of our marine life, release of greenhouse gasses, and deforestation are some of the challenges we continue to face to this day. Although we have taken measures to reduce the impact our choices have on our environment, what more can we do to ensure that we provide generations to...
Silent message!
Islands are sinking. The Amazon forest is burning. Health is turning into disease. People are raising their "standards", but where is nature going? Towards destruction! Why are we still silent? We need to stop using words and start showing our deeds. It's time to show gratitude towards nature, who gives us so much and in return we are harming them! A silent message to all people: Plant more and more trees. Show a little act of kindness by not killing living lives for no reason. Save them save earth. Save yourself. The world is a better place to live if we stop using plastic shopping bags and...
The way of the universe
It was empty but there was no empty space. Everything existed yet was still, silent - dead. This was the way of the universe. There was a spark. A traitor among them, twitched, moved- formed. An almighty shatter. Their ties broken, Their net cut, their cage lifted. And the way of the universe was irrevocably changed. The universe instantly recoiled, Completion was the one thing they longed for, circling each other, Reins of force pulled by a desperate universe, loosened. Matter violently jerked into existence, Yet they were still unsatisfied, For this was the way of the universe, Overcoming...
Before it's too late: Ubud tourism
In recent years, Ubud, the cultural hub of Bali has been flooded with foreigners looking to find themselves or perhaps just visiting for the day. Ubud used to be known as the place of art, scenery, and culture. Today, it is more known to be a place for yoga, vegans and Instagram bucket-list hotspots. Thanks to the popularity of the Hollywood movie Eat, Pray, Love and social media. Somehow it has been flooded with young travelers staying in hostels and walking around with their Bintang beers. Monkey Forest road and Pengosekan resemble streets of Kuta, having bars, cafes, and shops with brightly...
Is development a double-bladed sword?
“Development is killing the environment” “If cities continue growing there will be no nature left” “Urban centers are suffocating us” These are strong statements that I find myself, and my peers saying often. We frequently talk about how strange it is that humanity has done so much to improve its way of living, meanwhile destroying its surroundings. This is not completely wrong to say, as half of the world’s tropical forest has been cleared, and we are losing 18.7 million acres of woodland per year which in turn leads to loss of habitat for many species of plants and animals. This is because...
I resent plastic waste so I am doing something about it
While the fight against plastic waste is gaining more resonance in Africa, the use of plastic bags is still well-rooted in custom and practice, at the expense not only of the environment but also of public health, without there being widespread awareness. That is why as a Blogger I am ringing the alarm bell! Djibouti has been facing severe environmental degradation, desertification, drought, and water scarcity. Due to the hot weather, the population of Djibouti is very close to the looming of environmental problems. Marine pollution is one of the major environmental challenges, there is a lack...
Youth as Gamechangers in the fight against Climate Change
We are facing an existential crisis the largest mankind has ever faced. Those of you who have ignored this crisis know who you are and are most guilty. It is not the young who are responsible for this strike. We are striking to have a future and we will not stop - Greta Thunberg Writing in The Guardian, Thunberg and others explained that ‘these strikes are happening today… because politicians have failed us. We’ve seen years of negotiations, pathetic deals on climate change, fossil fuel companies being given free rein to carve open our lands, drill beneath our soils and burn away our futures...