Reflection

Reflection

Recently, I’ve been trying to create art that shares a message and addresses problems specifically about climate change or pollution and its impact on the natural world. I wanted to highlight how our personal actions and that of large scale companies are having devastating effects on different ecosystems. I looked into varying endangered ocean species located in coral reefs, the arctic, and the deep sea to depict in my piece. I conducted research on the effects of climate change and pollution on these sea creatures and couldn’t help but feel overwhelmingly sad. Each animal plays an important role in their environment, like the Hawksbill Turtle and Yellow Fin tuna maintaining balance in their delicate ecosystem, yet their numbers are quickly dwindling due to human interference. Although it seems hard to feel hopeful when faced with horrifying facts, the rays of sunshine behind the figure of Mother Nature serves as a reminder that we can still enact change. Humans are special in how we can see the future and have an active role in shaping it. I believe that we can transcend religious, cultural, or political barriers and recognize that in order to keep our planet alive, we need change. Large projects such as finding new forms of energy in nuclear fusion or creating protected wildlife habitats are underway. As for the average civilian such as myself, I have tried to limit my carbon footprint through riding my bike or walking when I can, as well as utilizing reusable straws and water bottles.